Squirt.org has announced a new partnership with Building Healthy Online Communities (BHOC), to help cruisers get access to current and reliable health information. The content series includes guides on a range of topics including: testing best practices, STI prevention and treatment, group sex, stigma, and general tips for leading a healthy sexual lifestyle. The first batch of published health resources are available now in the Squirt.org Member Resources and will be distributed to all Squirt.org members through a series of ongoing communications.
This partnership is one of the latest ways Squirt.org aims to provide members with reliable health information while they explore their sexualities through a variety of site features, including: video chats, pictures and videos, erotic stories and a global directory of cruising hotspots. Members are also prompted to add safer sex preferences (condom use, PrEP, TasP, etc…) and their vaccination statuses to their profiles in designated fields in order to find like-minded members and encourage conversations around safer sex.
“I’m thrilled that we are partnering with BHOC to bring these vital health resources to our community. BHOC does incredible work in providing up-to-date, inclusive, and sex-positive information that is crucial for queer and trans people navigating intimacy, dating, and hookup culture.” says Andrew Nolan, Head of Dating at Pink Triangle Press.
The creation of additional health resources is a response to member feedback and an effort to combat increasing misinformation online. In a 2023 survey conducted by Community Marketing Insights (CMI), Squirt.org members indicated their top health concerns were related to: mental health, HIV, and preventing or treating STIs.
“We know that the queer community is often left behind when it comes to access to comprehensive health resources, and Squirt.org and our parent company Pink Triangle Press are committed to changing this. With the Squirt.org 25th anniversary just around the corner, this is just the beginning of a series of exciting partnerships that will offer a variety of benefits to our members, from health and well-being to new ways of enhancing their overall experience on Squirt.org” says Nolan.
In addition to the creation of health resources, Squirt.org and BHOC have partnered to deliver routine health messaging to Squirt.org members throughout the year to provide access to at-home HIV testing kits and updates on Mpox. Squirt.org members have already accessed over 2300 at-home HIV self-testing kits through this partnership in 2024.
“BHOC is happy to partner with Squirt.org on these new health resources. Talking about our bodies, our health, and what we want is a huge part of navigating hooking up, dating, and intimacy.” says Emmett Patterson, Deputy Director of Building Healthy Online Communities. “We want Squirt.org’s members to have the most updated, sex-positive information about their options to take charge of their sexual health–including their mental health and substance use. These new health guides focus on the basics that most queer and trans people need to have fun while keeping their well-being in mind.”
Squirt.org is a global free-to-join sex-postitive community. Members and non-members are encouraged to check out the new Squirt.org health guides and continue to stay updated on the latest health information to make informed choices around safer sex.
