UNAIDS Brazil and Grindr for Equality—Grindr’s global social impact initiative, committed to advancing health and human rights for LGBTQ+ communities worldwide—have signed a cooperation agreement to expand access to HIV prevention and to bring health services closer to the populations most affected by HIV.

The agreement creates a framework for cooperation and the development of joint initiatives over the next two years, including expanding access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), reducing regional inequalities in access to health services, and strengthening community-led initiatives.

"Grindr reaches millions of LGBTQ+ people every day, while community-based organizations bring deep local knowledge, trusted relationships, and decades of experience serving their communities. As new prevention tools redefine what is possible, Grindr for Equality is committed to working hand in hand with partners such as UNAIDS Brazil, community leaders, researchers, healthcare professionals, funders, multilateral organizations, industry partners, and ministries of health to bridge the gap between awareness and uptake," said Mohan Sundararaj, Managing Director of Grindr for Equality. 

The partnership recognizes that digital solutions can bring reliable information closer to the people who need it most. Through this agreement, Grindr will serve as an important channel for connecting app users to public HIV prevention, testing, and care services, while UNAIDS will provide technical support and evidence-based content to guide these efforts. 
 
The partnership will support the development of inclusive digital campaigns with messages providing information on combination HIV prevention, including PrEP, PEP, condoms, regular HIV testing, and HIV treatment.

Another strategic pillar is the use of geolocation features within the platform to direct users to nearby public health services. This approach will help expand access to information about healthcare facilities, PrEP and PEP dispensing sites, and networks of care available in local communities.

"UNAIDS Brazil is pleased to sign this partnership agreement with Grindr, which is very present in the lives of young populations we serve. This platform can help locate health services and facilitate access to prevention information, and this will be our joint commitment. Each day people are more connected to digital environments that are essential to close the misinformation gap," says Andrea Boccardi Vidarte, UNAIDS Country Director in Brazil. 
 
The signing of the MoU formalizes and expands a relationship built through previous collaborations between UNAIDS Brazil and Grindr. In September 2024, Grindr and UNAIDS joined forces to increase the participation of people living with HIV in the second edition of the Stigma Index survey. More recently, during Lady Gaga’s concert in Copacabana in 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, UNAIDS, Grindr, and the City of Rio de Janeiro developed a joint prevention initiative aimed at concert attendees. 
 
UNAIDS Country Director in Brazil receives award for leadership and support to LGBTQIA+ communities

Andrea Boccardi Vidarte was among those honoured at the Grindr for Equality Awards, which took place during the AIDS20206 conference. These awards recognize leaders and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the global HIV response and to advancing the health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ communities.

During the Grindr for Equality Hosting, Ms Boccardi received the Systems Change Leadership Award which recognizes policymakers and institutional leaders who drive structural change to advance LGBTQIA+ rights, strengthen HIV prevention, and promote equitable access to healthcare.