Sexy STDating

by Liz Narins

Would you date someone with an STD? Would you want them to be honest about it? Honesty is understood at PositiveSingles.com, an online dating community for those who reject a life of seclusion as part of their STD-prognosis. Whether they have HPV or HIV, members can use Positive Singles to find romance, friendship, or simply support. Each member’s specific STD is cited on their profile alongside otherwise-standard information, and users can sift through profiles by searching for specific STDs or any other information. Genital herpes and HPV seem to be most prevalent on the site, according to a Love Buzz browse.

As for profiles, photos can be posted but are not necessary, making anonymity totally possible. But, by and large, you’d be hard-pressed to find a member with horns, or any scarlet letter whatsoever. In fact, most members who post pictures are pretty good-looking–so much so that the vast number of photo-free profiles is a bit disappointing.

While over 200 of the site’s success stories suggest that sparks do fly between members, the Positive Singles community extends far beyond online dating, into an active blogging community. From sifting through blog and forum comments, it’s evident that the site is in essence a support network–for most members this seems to be enough. After all, there are more inspirational stories found on Positive Singles than in Chicken Soup for the STD-Positive Soul (if there were one), as well as forums for health tips, events and advice.

Setting up a blog or reading one of over 8,000 other members’ is free with a guest membership. It’s also free to vent or flirt in a forum, such “The Person Who Infected Me” or “Virtual Bar” – both forums are fairly popular. Guests can set up profiles and respond to e-mails and instant messages from Gold Membership holders, who pay $29.95/month, or less if months are bought in bulk. Gold members can initiate contact, and get priority positioning in search results. Beside a variety of unremarkable features, Gold members can contact a live STD counselor, online.