(1888PressRelease)
January 06, 2008 - A new HIV Dating website, www.hivandsingle.com, has been launched with the purpose of giving people afflicted with HIV/AIDS an opportunity to anonymously experience community and intimate relationships without fear of judgment.
"It's a unique concept" said Matt Beram, co-founder of the site, "Because even though it is an HIV personals site and its main purpose is to connect people living with HIV or AIDS, we also provide an HIV forum, chat room, articles, etc. The site is very comprehensive and goes beyond just dating.”
Founded in September 2007, the completed site debuted in December and has already grown to over 270 members.
Beram and partner Elisa Forni have been close friends for over 12 years. The idea for an HIV Dating site, came from one of Beram’s closest relatives who was diagnosed HIV positive six years ago. She was describing to Beram and Forni how difficult dating is since being diagnosed. The stories were upsetting to hear and they wanted to help.
“We published surveys directed to people living with HIV,” said Forni, “We wanted to find out if dating was a struggle for others living with HIV. The response we got was amazing.” They received thousands of responses from people telling them how lonely they were and how hard it is to find love because of being HIV positive. “Some of the responses were so sad” Forni said, “All I could think to myself was that these people deserve love and companionship too.”
"The site is very comprehensive and just as good as the big guys out there, Match.com and Yahoo Personals," enthuses Beram. "You can search via zip code, interests, sexual preference, hair color, any little detail. Membership is free, and you can post and search profiles for free.
In Comparing www.hivandsingle.com to other HIV dating and HIV personal sites, it is the Rolls Royce of HIV personal dating sites.
"There are a few other sites, but none as good as ours," concludes Beram. "We really cater to the individual, and Elisa and I personally answer all e-mails. We never want anyone to feel like they are alone dealing with a big company. We always want them to know that we completely empathize with them, and that we're here to help."
