Florida: Agency Pairs Heterosexuals With HIV

The Center for Positive Connections in Miami Shores offers social events and Internet listings to HIV-positive heterosexuals. The agency currently has 350 clients. Revealing HIV status is a challenge for anyone seeking a soulmate but is even more difficult for heterosexuals with the virus, said Evelyn Fisboin, a mental health therapist for the agency. She said the fear "is stronger because the subject tends to be more hushed, more concealed."

Victoria Mitrani, a University of Miami psychologist who specializes in families affected by HIV/AIDS, said that at the beginning of a relationship, HIV-positive women may feel more limited than men and more compelled to disclose their status before the first sexual encounter. Due to heterosexual men's reluctance to accept and openly share their condition, many social events for HIV-positive singles and Internet search boards are frequented by women. "The men are hiding," said one site user.

For more information, visit www.positiveconnections.org.

Back to other news for December 11, 2006