Grindr: Friend or Foe to the Gay Community?

By now, most people have heard of Grindr, and many of us have profiles. Our contact at Grindr reports that there are 4 million users worldwide, 1.3 million of whom are in the U.S. The average user logs on to Grindr 8-10 times per day and spends about 90 minutes using the app throughout the day. So if you find yourself Grindr-addicted, you’re not alone!

News headlines about the app are pretty extreme:

• EXPOSED: The seedy underbelly of hook-up apps (News.com.au, September 2012)
• A deadly dating game (China Daily, September 2012)
• Grindr: Welcome to the World’s Biggest, Scariest Gay Bar (Vanity Fair, May 2011)
• Popular gay dating app Grindr blamed for syphilis outbreak (Examiner.com, August 2012)

Not to mention Paris Hilton’s recent comments that “most” gay men on Grindr “probably have AIDS.” Paris isn’t the only one to blame Grindr for increased rates of HIV and STD infections among gay and bi men. So what’s the deal? Are folks just looking for someone to blame, or does the app somehow promote or condone risky business, like barebacking or anonymous sex? We at GO Atlanta took a closer look.

In Grindr’s policies, there’s nothing to be found promoting or discouraging unprotected sex. The app does prohibit “sexually explicit, revealing, or overly suggestive photos,” as well as “nudity or physically revealing clothing of any kind.” And, to Grindr’s credit, there is a Grindr Health page, which links to resources for HIV and STD testing, as well as substance abuse resources. Throughout the site, Grindr advocates user safety and responsibility.

Grindr has a reputation for being a booty call app. But is it? In a recent study [1] of Grindr users in West Hollywood and Long Beach, CA, researchers found that the most popular reasons for using Grindr were to kill time (84.3%)and make new friends (78.7%), followed by connecting with the gay community (64.5%) and meeting hook-ups (64.5%). Participants in the study were more likely to use condoms with partners they met on Grindr (59.8%) compared to partners they met elsewhere (41.9%).

So, that brings us back to our original question: is it really Grindr that’s fueling HIV and STD epidemics? The app touts itself as a platform for guys to meet other guys, and it’s being used heavily around the world... but not necessarily to look for sex.

 

It’s easy to blame an app that makes it so darn easy to get laid. There are 9 guys within a mile of me right now! But really, it’s my job to get tested so that I know my status and use condoms to stay healthy. And to talk to my partners about their status, too. Here in ATL, AID Atlanta offers HIV and STD testing and free condoms. If you want to learn more about staying safe, watch our series of webisodes, “A Gay in the Life.” They’re quick, funny, informative, and just for registering and watching, you’ll get a Starbucks giftcard. 

Many health agencies are starting to use Grindr and other hookup apps to talk to guys about getting testing. Who knows? Maybe you’ll see GO Atlanta on Grindr soon.

 

---

[1] Rice et al. Sex Risk among Young Men who have Sex with Men who use Grindr, a Smartphone Geosocial Networking Application. J AIDS Clinic Res 2012, S4.

Safer Sex For Your Smartphone?

Know your HIV status? Know your partner’s? There’s an app for that. Technology is creeping further and further into our personal lives, and the question has become, does it make our lives easier or more complicated?

The recently developed app called Chec-Mate allows individuals to search for testing locations, receive results after the test, and share the results with a partner. The app complies with all HIPAA regulations, the laws by which all healthcare professionals are bound. Privacy is maintained by using a unique username and password. A key advantage of sharing a person’s status using the app is that it reduces the amount of personal information disclosed with the test results. The question of ease versus complication remains unanswered. The app requires registration, and then an individual must have the professional complete a special verification form at the testing site. The app also requires a yearly subscription. Since the application is currently only available for iPhone, it is certainly not usable by everyone who could potentially benefit from it.

Some people have no qualms about sharing all of the information displayed on the paper results. Others choose not to discuss status at all because of fear or unease about how to approach the subject. At GO Atlanta we are addressing this unease with our online video series that stresses everyone’s responsibility for talking about sexual health. If this app encourages dialogue around sexual health while maintaining privacy I am willing to add it to my list of prevention tools.

What do you think? Why are some apprehensive about discussing sexual health? Is this app beneficial to anyone, some, or potentially everyone?

Lucas.Gosdin@aidatlanta.org

The Technology of Sex

Since the dawn of human existence the safest sex has always been to take your own breath away, hands- on (or not), the get off method.  Masturbation, like sex, transcends time.  Current advances in technology have changed the way we communicate, travel, stay healthy, and see the world; these changes were often premeditated and anticipated. However, mainstream media has done an excellent job of concealing the myriad of 21^st century post-masturbatory toys for the tech savvy mind and body. Although some of these toys were originally made for orifices of the female persuasion, there is no reason why any bodily hole should be neglected of pleasure from these “sexy-tech devices”.  I’ve picked out five of the most interesting and unique sex toys available.  Hours of technological labor and research went into the following five devices; all so that they could be the best fit, feel, and fuck when going into or onto you!   Be advised, unless you work for an amazing sex positive, non-profit like AID Atlanta you probably shouldn’t read any further if you are at your 9-5.

The NaughtiBod:

http://www.ohmibod.com/wired-vibrators/index.php

“Feel the vibrations of your favorite music”.  The folks at www.OhmiBod.com specialize in turning your mp3 players & smartphones into orgasmic catalysts. You’ll never listen to music the same way. Go “Ga” “GA!” while listening to Lady Gaga.

The Tenga Egg:

http://www.esmale.com/tenga/tenga-masturbator-egg-variety-pack-893-157-1506.php

Watch and amaze yourself! You’ll never look at eggs the same way. Tenga has hatched a truly unique and advanced product line. The egg masturbator comes in a variety of textures all designed with a unique textured skin meant for enhancing pleasure. No refrigeration necessary, unless you like it cold. Unlike the real thing, once you’ve cracked open the whites and yolk, you can wish, rinse and enjoy the egg a second time!

The FleshJack:

http://www.esmale.com/fleshjack/p0/158.htm

Ever fantasized about sleeping with your favorite gay porn star? Now you can! Well, at least with a lifelike duplicate of their ass or mouth. The FleshJack offers a range of male masturbators made from what they call “Real Feel Superskin”. Almost creepy close to the real orifices already, the sensation can even be made all the more realby inserting the sleeve in warm water before use to bring it to body temperature. Check out the demo below.

Aneros:  

http://www.esmale.com/aneros/p0/170.htm

The folks at Aneros specialize in prostate stimulation! Hours of research went into designing each Anero’s toy material, size, and shape! With the help of Aneros, guys can achieve their very best prostate stimulated orgasm. Find your very own mythical male g-spot with the unique line of products available.

The Googlher: 

http://fffff.at/diyds/googlher/

Welcome to the age of Vaginal or Anal web browsing! 

The Googlher is a device which plugs into your computer and triggers a bullet vibrator any time that Google pings your web browser (basically when Google spies what you’re doing).  The creators very own words were too good to paraphrase. “Mistrust and fear Google’s omnipotent ways no longer as the web giant profoundly soothes, touches, and moves you.”  Sex toys like these can be costly, but not to fear the folks over at F.A.T.  have us covered with instructions on how to make the device! It doesn’t look easy, but take a look at the demo video on the webpage and tell me it’s not worth the work! 

http://vimeo.com/30270233