Find HIV-Positive Love at POZ.com with New, Free Personals

Find HIV-Positive Love at POZ.com with New, Free Personals

Plus: POZ uncovers New York's thriving AIDS drug black-market

NEW YORK, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- As a special Valentine to HIV-positive people everywhere, America's leading AIDS publication will launch POZ Personals, a free online "dating-plus" site for PWAs. "Too many people with HIV suffer rejection when disclosing they are positive," said POZ founder Sean Strub. "There's a huge industry for online personals, but POZ felt it was important to offer a free site that addresses our community's diversity, needs and desires."

The magazine's February/March issue is packed with tips to help online-dating veterans and virgins alike up their odds for making a positive connection and making that date a long-term mate. Check out the magazine's content and an early peek at POZ Personals at http://www.poz.com/. The site launches on February 14, Valentine's Day, and more than 1,000 people have signed up in advance.

Members can create and search profiles that include HIV status, standard profile information and unique personalized fields. "We are more than just a dating site," said Strub. "We are also trying to build community. Asking all members to confidentially disclose their status is a good public health service and good for our community." Discussion of HIV status is a key element of HIV prevention.

POZ's February/March issue also takes matters of the heart more literally, with coverage of new studies showing that classic risk factors for cardiovascular disease -- smoking, gender and age -- play a bigger role than HIV medications' side effects in heart troubles.

PLUS: In an expose of New York's HIV medication black market, POZ hits the streets with desperate patients who hock their monthly supply of government- funded drugs -- netting as much as $250 from a dealer -- as doctors struggle with the choice between scaring off patients and accusations of fraud.

Launched in 1994, POZ is an award-winning national magazine with a monthly readership of 100,000. POZ offers clear, innovative and often surprising reflections of the complexities of life with HIV. POZ is published by Smart + Strong.


Source: POZ Magazine

CONTACT: Shana Krochmal, POZ Magazine, +1-415-786-9156

Web site: http://www.poz.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: POZ IS AVAILABLE FOR VALENTINE'S DAY COVERAGE. CALL 415-786-9156 TO SCHEDULE INTERVIEWS.

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