A new website exclusively for gay men who are HIV-positive has been launched, and site owners say that Pozcruz.com is the first website of its kind.
“It’s a place where men don’t have to worry about the social consequences of being positive” said Mike Burke, the founder of the website and himself an HIV-positive man.
Burke said the idea for Pozcruz.com came from his recognition of the lack of a social networking presence on the Web for meeting other positive men.
“Most gay and other personals sites aren’t structured to meet our specific needs, and the growing HIV-positive demographic deserves a welcoming, safe place tailored just for us,” he said.
Pozcruz.com includes and advanced search interface, e-mail and instant messaging. There is no fee to post a profile or cruise those already on the site, but for a fee of $3.95 a month, users can get unlimited e-mails and instant messaging, Burke said.
Burke said eventually he wants to use proceeds from Pozcruz.com to fund HIV-related charitable funds and education. The site also plans to offer Spanish language and mobile versions of the site by early in 2007, Burke said.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, May 12, 2006.