Note: September 7, 2018 will be our last regularly scheduled monthly testing event due to changes instituted by our testing agency, Get Tested Coachella Valley. Going forward we expect to have special quarterly testing events with expanded hours instead. To stay informed, subscribe to our newsletter!
Every first Friday of the month, Gear hosts free, confidential, rapid HIV testing conducted by Get Tested Coachella Valley from 2-5 pm.
Why?
Because we think it’s essential for everyone to know their HIV status.
Knowing your status helps you make smarter decisions about your life and play. For positive guys, it’s the first step to getting the treatment that you need to live a long and healthy life. It also helps you avoid passing the virus to anyone else. In fact, nowadays it’s almost impossible for poz guys who take their meds to spread HIV. That’s pretty awesome.
Why at Gear?
Because we believe in supporting men who play hard.
We know that it’s not always easy to be open about your kinks in a traditional medical setting. So we’ve put our own spin on HIV testing. First, we’ve brought it to a place where you already know that nothing is taboo. More importantly, we’ve made sure that the guys who are administering the tests are non-judgmental and kink-friendly, just like you.
How does it work?
Just drop in and let one of our staffers know that you’re here to get a test. They’ll take you to the office, where a GTCV volunteer will swab your cheek with a special test stick. It takes about twenty minutes for the swab to its job, so hang out and enjoy the store for a bit. When the results are in, you’ll be called back into the office to get your info.
It’s free. It’s painless. And it’s confidential.
Play Hard! And know your status!
For more information about HIV testing and the Get Tested Coachella Valley initiative, visit http://gettestedcoachellavalley.org/