The short version: Since 1998, PozMatch.com has been a safe dating site for HIV-positive singles worldwide. This non-judgmental platform welcomes people of all backgrounds and gives them the space they need to grow, heal and find love. PozMatch members can use the discussion forums, search tools and instant messaging features to make connections in the HIV community worldwide.
Ant Babajee was diagnosed with HIV just after the new year in 2007. If he could go back in time to that sobering day in January, Ant said the first thing he would tell himself is not to panic.
“You are the same person you were before you got the news,” he wrote. “You are still worthy of love and respect.”
“No one is going to force me back into the virus closet,” said Ant Babajee, who is HIV-positive.
Over the past decade, Ant has come to terms with his virus and has become “unabashedly positive.” Ant credits his close circle of friends for giving him the courage to move forward without shame or regret. By volunteering for HIV charities and attending support group meetings, Ant surrounded himself with people who understood what he was going through as a single man with HIV.
Of course, not everyone is comfortable coming out of the HIV closet in person, and that’s where HIV dating site PozMatch can offer much-needed support. This specialized site fosters a safe, anonymous environment where HIV-positive singles can ask questions, strike up friendships and find love. PozMatch brings singles together in a close-knit HIV-positive community.
Health issues are not taboo here. Singles can openly identify themselves as HIV-positive on their PozMatch dating profiles, and that can be liberating for people who have not yet told their diagnosis to their closest friends or family members.
Since its launch in 1998, PozMatch has facilitated many productive discussions about HIV and its impact on the dating scene. Singles can use this platform as a place to talk about their fears, explore their dating options and create social connections in a unique and positive space.
Approximately 52% of the members are under 35 years of age.
HIV-positive singles may feel isolated by the disease, but they are not alone. More than 36.9 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS and about 5,000 new infections occur every day.
After an HIV diagnosis, many people worry about the future. They wonder how and when to tell their loved ones. They worry about the judgment and fear surrounding the disease, and they worry about whether their love lives will ever be the same.
PozMatch can comfort singles during these uncertain times and offer reassurance that love is possible regardless of their health status.
PozMatch is dedicated to helping HIV-positive singles meet each other.
Theteam is proud to offer a non-judgmental community where HIV-positive singles can talk about their experiences, fears and hopes. The community welcomes people of all ages, orientations and races. If you have HIV or are ready to date someone with HIV, you can register for free and start networking in group forums and private messaging.
The PozMatch community has slightly more men than women online. According to internal analysis, about 69.43% of visitors identify as male and 30.57% identify as female.
The dating site’s member base also skews a bit younger. Just over 52% of members are under the age of 35 and over 13.46% are over the age of 65. PozMatch has advanced search filters to help singles find people in the same age group or location.
Most users browse under a nickname, so they can maintain some privacy. However, the dating site’s anti-fraud system verifies the identity of new users and makes sure they are there for the right reasons.
Forums can help people find healing
PozMatch allows HIV-positive singles to make meaningful connections online. The site has all the conveniences of a traditional dating site, but also has an open forum designed to answer HIV-related questions and concerns.
Over 1200 members have posted dating tips and encouraged HIV positive singles in the online dating scene. This free space fosters a lot of growth and generates a sense of community. Members offer each other safety tips and first date suggestions, as well as personal testimonials about their HIV dating experiences.
“Don’t play games,” one member wrote in a posting. “Games should not enter the realm of dating and relationships[it] creates unnecessary drama.”
Forums and blogs encourage active dialogue.
PozMatch allows HIV daters to share their stories and form genuine relationships, but also goes to great lengths to ensure that everyone stays safe while on the site. The team respects the user’s right to privacy and the site does not require users to share their full names, occupations or any other identifiable information.
Understandably, privacy is a major concern for many PozMatch users, so they appreciate the additional anonymity and security the site offers. A strict privacy policy ensures that people’s personal data is secure. According to the policy, “We do not share personal data with third parties for direct marketing purposes without your permission.”
PozMatch members may contact the privacy team by email to cancel an account and delete all personal data related to that account. These requests are generally accepted within 30 days of receipt. Once PozMatch has deleted the account, the user will not be able to restore or recover that data, and all membership plans will be automatically cancelled.
A data protection officer oversees the dating site’s privacy practices and can answer any questions about how personal data is used, shared and retained at PozMatch. Email [email protected] for more information.
PozMatch meets the needs of the HIV-positive community
PozMatch has successfully connected countless HIV daters around the world, and the proactive team continues to expand its network to help more people find camaraderie and companionship after an HIV diagnosis.
Since its launch in 1998, PozMatch has challenged the stigma against people with HIV and provided a space where people dating online start fresh. The singles on this site share a common struggle and that gives them a common bond. Thanks to PozMatch, HIV positive singles don’t have to hide in the shadows or face their disease alone.
Your health condition doesn’t have to keep you from the life you want. By getting involved in the HIV community, you can meet open-hearted people who will see you for you, not your diagnosis. Ant said he has met many HIV-positive friends who have been in committed relationships and even had children.
“I’m not going to lie to you: sometimes it can be hard to live with the virus,” said Ant. “Even though there are tough times ahead, you can make HIV a small part of your life.”
