New Dating App Wants To Help HIV Positive People Find Love
A new smartphone app has been launched exclusively for people living with HIV and looking for love. Created by Andrew Goyvaerts, POZ was launched in March to help singletons navigate the dating world without facing stigma about their status.
“After being diagnosed with HIV in 2013, I found stigma and the opinions of others to be the hardest part of moving on with life,” he told PinkNews.
Goyvaerts said he was inspired to build the app after suffering abuse on other apps and the higher price of apps aimed at people living with HIV. He also explained that the hardest part of using “mainstream dating apps” was being rejected due to his HIV status.
“We all feel that little bit of a bruised ego if we get turned down because we’re not someone’s type or because of our looks but being turned down because I’m positive bruised me in a way I have never felt before,” he explained.
However, although Goyvaerts criticised the high prices of some apps already in existence, he too will introduce a “pro-membership” charge once the app has attracted enough users.
The app has met with mixed feeling from the HIV community, with one man saying he is unsure the app was safe for those wishing to keep their status private.
“I’m very public about my status and history of drug use, but that’s not the same for a lot of people out there,” Theodore Tsipiras told Star Observer. He said he was also concerned that users might miss out on meeting the “love of their life” if they restrict themselves to finding another positive person to date. “It’s a minority within a minority and you’re limiting yourself… you might miss out on that crazy idea, there’s one special person out there for you.”
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10 Comments
Kenny
April 16, 08:39The idea of using the app is defeatist to me. There are so many serodiscordant heterosexual and gay couples out there. If he doesn’t want you because you’re positive then he isn’t the man for you so move on. The gay dating pool is limited already as it is without adding hiv to the list of deal breakers.
Mandy
April 16, 08:51An example of necessity bringing about invention. This might be good.
Dennis Macaulay
April 16, 09:07Good one!
Geeluv
April 16, 10:11But is it actually safe for two people leaving with HIV to date?… I once heard about re-infections by different strains of the virus…. make una nor vex ooo…I just need to be educated on this….
Kenny
April 16, 10:32Yep. Superinfection. If they don’t use protection.
Richard Moore
April 16, 10:48From where I’m standing, that’s only encouraging more stigma and segregation. I believe there are still good understanding people in this world that won’t give a damn about HIV status. We just need patience. #InMyOpinion
KingBey
April 16, 13:23A good way for negative guys to create catfish accounts and fish out positive guys and castigate them.
Wayfaring Stranger
April 16, 13:49Sounds like something you could do.
Garrison
April 17, 00:01This is not necessary really
Reed
April 17, 22:38I agree with you @garrisson.