Grindr Wants to Be More Than a Sex App

One of the original (and still one of the most popular) gay dating apps, Grindr, continues its commitment to helping the LGBTQ+ community enjoy happy, healthy sex lives. The hookup helpers are continuing to promote a health initiative called Together TakeMeHome, which now allows Grindr users to order free, at-home HIV tests with the click of a button.

Together TakeMeHome is a collaboration between Grindr and several leading health institutions: Emory University, Building Healthy Online Communities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NASTAD, OraSure, and Signal.

U.S.-based users will now see a new “Free HIV Home Test” button in the app’s main menu, with both English and Spanish instruction options. Those who click on it and order (about a two-to-three-minute process) will receive an OraQuick kit — an FDA-approved, over-the-counter test that works by swabbing the gums. The test arrives to your home within three to five days after ordering, and results are ready within 20 minutes.

Since HIV continues to affect those in queer communities more so than other groups of sexually active people, Grindr feels a particular responsibility to promote HIV prevention and treatment.

“Access to HIV testing is one of the biggest limitations in the fight against the persistent HIV epidemic,” stated Jack Harrison-Quintana, Grindr’s director for equality, in a recent blog post. “Many Grindr users face barriers to testing in person, including clinic operating hours, transportation, costs, concerns about privacy, and fear of judgment. Over the last three years, TakeMeHome has given away 125,000 HIV test kits, and more of those have gone to gay, bi, and trans people using Grindr than any other dating app platform.”

The program received more than 10,000 orders on its first day, according to Emory University.

“This project is currently aiming to give out one million kits over five years,” added Harrison-Quintana. “We’re incredibly proud of this partnership, so please check out Together TakeMeHome, know your status, tell your friends, and let’s continue to fight the epidemic together.”

Check out your Grindr app or visit together.takemehome.org for more information.