The Truth About Dating For People With HIV

By D G Gordon

If there is one thing that all people diagnosed with HIV share in common, it’s a bleak outlook on their future chances of finding love. Times have changed, however, and what was extremely anxiety-inducing 20 years ago has improved by leaps and bounds in recent times. The truth nowadays is that there is no real reason to be alone.

Online Dating for People with HIV
While not everyone is into the online dating game, it is a very appealing option when diagnosed with HIV. The inevitable feelings of shame, an unwillingness to face humiliation, and the sense of being the only one in your situation are seriously alleviated.

How Is Online Dating for People with HIV Better?
The best thing about HIV-related dating sites is that the most terrifying dating prospect – that of having to disclose your HIV status – is over with when you have completed your profile. Since it’s out there for everyone, conversations that occur within these dating sites tend to center around the much more interesting and dynamic aspects of peoples’ personalities, rather than a condition.

Discretion and HIV Dating Sites
Now, just because you have willingly disclosed your HIV status does not mean that you are willing to post a photo; many aren’t and won’t. This is perfectly fine, as the more sophisticated sites have taken this into account and allow you to attach images in messages to specific members with whom you already have a level of comfort.

The Problem with HIV Dating Sites
There are a dozen or so dating sites online that cater to HIV singles, but most have not taken the time to promote themselves, so there is usually a small and inactive member base. This, of course, severely hampers your ability to find a mate, especially if you live in a small to medium-sized city.

One of the very few exceptions to the ‘ghost town’ standard of HIV dating sites online is called HIVPOZ.NET It has a very large database of active HIV singles, and has really gained in popularity in the last couple of years. It is free to sign up so that you can take a look around at potential matches in your city without having to pay for membership. I spend a good deal of time there, and highly recommend it.

Hope this has been helpful, and keep the faith.

HIV Dating Site Profiles – Five Valuable Tips You Must Always Consider

By Ana Smith

There are certain elements which go into making a really interesting HIV dating profile? And it is in your interest to ensure that you heed this advice, especially if you want your profile receiving the attention that it rightly deserves.

Firstly you must remember what your HIV dating profile is there for. A profile is designed to be your advertisement to all the other members of your character. It is your sales pitch if you like. And for this very reason it therefore is competing with hundreds if not thousands of other profiles. Therefore if you want your profile to stand head and shoulders above the rest, take these five tips into consideration.

Tip One: Research.

Before trying to put pen to paper, go and do some research. Log into your HIV dating site and check out your competition. Browse through the other profiles and see if any really stand out to you. Should one catch your interest, then the likelihood is, it will catch others interest also. Write down any ideas you get from studying these member’s HIV dating profiles. You can use their ideas, tailored to your circumstances and personality, but never copy chunks word for word.

Tip Two: The 3 C’s – Concise, clear candour.

When you write your profile write it for the viewer, remember they have loads and loads of alternative profiles to read. Therefore make your profile concise. No one is going to read through a profile which is pages long. Keep it brief and crisp, but also make it clear.

Remember you must keep the viewers attention otherwise they will just click away to the next profile and your opportunity will be lost. So make sure you tell them everything you want them to know. But make it interesting and exciting. If you do not sound appealing then you have lost them.

Lastly remember candour – honesty. Never ever try and spice things up to the extent of fabrication, readers will see through you and know you are too good to be true.

Tip Three: Acquaint them to what you do!

Do not confuse writing your profile to writing your CV. Your HIV dating profile must be personal, so make it so. Allow your character to shine through your descriptions. Tell others what you like, how you spend your time and what you want from life. Try to use simple conversational sentences, which are easy to read. Unless you are an English Professor or you wish to attract one, never try to use complicated language or over detailed descriptions.

Tip Four: Add a real photograph!

Ensure you post a good up-to-date photograph. Make sure it is recent and of decent quality. People like to have an idea of who they are speaking to, so adding an image will greatly enhance your profile getting good responses. The image should be of you by yourself, so if necessary have one taken with a pet or pursuing your favourite hobby if you feel subconscious being alone.

Tip Five: Update regularly!

This applies to both photograph and profile. By adding new interesting things you have done will keep your profile current. This is important as it shows other members that you are actively using the site and that you lead an interesting life. Also your new updated profile may now appeal to members who had previously passed it over.

In conclusion remember this is your sales pitch to the other members of the HIV dating site. So it is vital that it contains your true character and personality. If you follow the above steps in order you will not only find it easier to make your profile interesting, but you will find it easier to write. By ensuring you give a good account of yourself you will find that you receive some great responses from people wanting to know more.