G4E x The Love Tank – new collaboration launch
PrEPster at The Love Tank partners with Grindr and Sexual Health London to launch a new service in London, going live on May 15, 2024.
PrEPster at The Love Tank, in partnership with dating app Grindr, and Sexual Health London (SHL), together announce the launch of a new initiative that will enable London-based users to order free at-home STI self-sampling kits directly via the Grindr app, in a first of a kind service for dating apps.
The initiative aims to make it as easy and hassle-free as possible to get access to STI testing via the app, whilst tackling some of the barriers to in-person STI testing, such as clinic operating hours, appointment availability, transportation, and fear of judgement – all of which have contributed to inequalities related to STIs for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).
“As we expand our Gaybourhoods in the digital realm it’s important for us to ensure we’re doing so in a safe way and encouraging Grindr users to frequently test for STIs,” said Steph Niaupari, from Grindr for Equality. “Through Grindr’s unique community of GBMSM individuals and by partnering with the right organisations we’re able to offer this new service to groups who are continuing to face many barriers to testing. We hope this is the first step to rolling out our future programme across the UK and providing greater access to self-sampling.”
Dr Will Nutland from PrEPster at The Love Tank, said: “At PrEPster at The Love Tank, we work hard to support under-served groups within the LGBTQ+ community. Self-sampling can remove many of the barriers individuals face when accessing STI testing, and providing this feature within Grindr and in partnership with Sexual Health London enables us to reach and help to address sexual health inequalities faced.”
The launch of the service is supported by full-screen advertising (below), developed by The Love Tank. The adverts are designed by The Love Tank’s Creative Director, Richard Kahwagi, with photography by Lucian M. Koncz. The adverts feature members of London’s queer communities and are being made available in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Notes:
Grindr does not collect or hold any information on any users that order a test kit. Below details the process for Grindr users:
While scrolling through their Grindr cascade, users can open their side drawer and click the new button feature “Free STI Kit”.
When the user clicks the button, they will be taken to the Sexual Health London (SHL) portal.
To receive a self-sampling kit, users are asked to enter basic information including their address, date of birth and telephone number, all to confirm eligibility. This information is not held or shared with Grindr by SHL.
Users will then receive a SMS to confirm they would like a kit to begin the process.
Once the kit is received and completed, the user can send the kit off for free and can expect results within a few days after returning it.
The results are not managed in the Grindr app, instead users will receive a notification when their results are available via Sexual Health London.