PositiveSingles tests offline meetups with first Atlanta gathering

PositiveSingles hosted its first Atlanta Community Meetup on Aug. 29 as part of a pilot to move some of its STD support community offline. The event underscores demand for face-to-face connections among members who want support beyond profiles and messages.

Why it matters: - PositiveSingles is testing whether an online STD dating and support community can deepen member connections through in-person events. - The Atlanta pilot suggests some members want spaces where they can talk without being defined by a diagnosis. - If the format works, PositiveSingles could expand offline meetups to more U.S. cities.

What happened: - PositiveSingles hosted its first Atlanta Community Meetup on Aug. 29. - Atlanta was one of the pilot cities for PositiveSingles’ offline community initiative. - The three-hour event brought members together in a private setting. - Attendees took part in icebreakers, shared refreshments and talked about everyday life, family, personal experiences and shared interests.

The details: - One attendee said meeting face to face made it easier to feel seen as a whole person rather than being defined by a diagnosis. - The attendee described the meetup as welcoming and highly connecting. - The attendee said they would attend another PositiveSingles gathering in the future. - PositiveSingles said the offline initiative is designed to create spaces where members can connect without lengthy explanations or fear of judgment. - PositiveSingles said the Atlanta event showed how in-person interaction can add another layer of connection beyond profiles, messages and health status. - PositiveSingles was founded in 2001 as a dating and support platform for people living with STDs. - The platform says it has about 2.8 million members worldwide.

Between the lines: - The Atlanta meetup points to a broader shift in how digital support communities may evolve after years of relying mainly on online interaction. - The pilot also highlights a practical challenge for niche communities: translating trust built online into real-world settings. - John Martinuk, spokesperson for PositiveSingles, said online communities can help people realize they are not alone, but meeting face to face can create a different level of connection. - Martinuk said the goal is to let members meet, talk and get to know one another without feeling a diagnosis has to define the conversation.

What's next: - PositiveSingles plans to use participant feedback to refine the meetup format. - The company will explore bringing similar offline gatherings to additional communities across the United States.