By Lyle McAdam / Images courtesy of Positive+1

Launched in November last year in the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, Positive+1 is a groundbreaking new social network dedicated to empowering the HIV community, whether you’re living with, affected by, or working within the sector.

The driving force behind Positive+1 is its Founder & CEO, Christian Mercer-Hall, whose personal journey with a close friend’s HIV diagnosis inspired the creation of the platform nine years ago. Christian’s friend, once the vibrant life of the party, experienced a profound transformation following his diagnosis. Struggling with physical changes and emotional turmoil, he confided in Christian about his fears and uncertainties.

“He was a shell of his former self, had lost a lot of weight, and generally had just lost the sparkle that made him, him!”

Christian witnessed firsthand his friend’s challenges, particularly in navigating disclosure and finding meaningful connections.

“The two key things that came out of that conversation were ‘How do I tell somebody?’ and ‘How do I meet someone?’,” Christian explains.

After conducting extensive research to find ways to support his friend in connecting with others facing similar challenges, Christian stumbled upon a group counseling session. However, he quickly realized that traditional, in-person HIV support groups didn’t always facilitate the level of empathy, understanding, and connection his friend needed at the time. Moreover, there seemed to be a lack of online communities that fostered genuine sharing and support among individuals living with HIV. This realization marked a pivotal “Eureka moment” for Christian, inspiring him to create Positive+1. Initially launched as a dating app, Positive+1 quickly evolved into a comprehensive platform catering to the diverse needs of the HIV community. Unlike other platforms, Positive+1 prioritizes fostering friendships and providing support beyond romantic interests.

Positive+1 Founder & CEO, Christian Mercer-Hall

“It became very clear to me there was a much bigger opportunity here,” says Christian. “People these days want a lot more than just a romantic connection. That’s not enough. People need friendship, allyship, guidance, people to lift them up when they need it most.”

Reflecting on his friend’s journey during the crucial early creation stages, Christian emphasized the importance of addressing key concerns such as disclosure and social interaction. Despite receiving support from a local charity and accessing medication, his friend grappled with feelings of isolation and mortality. “He was receiving support from a local charity and was on medication, but his initial thought was that he was going to die.”

Positive+1 aims to address these challenges and typical levels of stigmatization by offering a supportive online community where individuals can find solidarity, access educational materials, receive guidance, and forge meaningful connections. By honoring his friend’s experience and resilience, Christian hopes to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by HIV.

With its user-friendly interface resembling that of familiar social media apps, Positive+1 offers a welcoming space. By connecting users with like-minded individuals who share similar experiences, Positive+1 aims to alleviate feelings of isolation and provide a sense of community for those affected by HIV.

Positive+1 represents more than just a social app—it’s a holistic platform designed to empower individuals within the HIV community, offering a safe and inclusive space for connection, support, and solidarity. The app contains a feed of users’ posts, messaging functionality, and a guidance section containing everything from “HIV basics” to dating and relationship advice, written by the app’s users and curated by the Positive+1 team.

“They’re actually the viewpoints from people who are living with HIV and their lived experiences,” Christian explains. “If you can go into a platform and find content and guidance from people you align with, you’re more likely to listen to it.”

Based out of Harrogate in Yorkshire, England, with his Partner and one-year-old son, Christian tells us, “I’m not someone living with HIV; let me make that very clear… I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding or to come off as misleading. I’m also someone who identifies as white and heterosexual, which leads to the question I get asked most: why me? Why am I the right person to lead an HIV platform?” My answer remains the same as it was almost nine years ago when I started on this mission. The most judgmental, stigmatizing people continue to be the white, heterosexual community. I feel this message and allyship need to come from me to make people stand up and realize HIV has changed. It’s not a death sentence, it’s not a gay disease, anyone can contract it if you’re not careful, and the sooner people realize this, the better. Nobody is above or ‘better’ than HIV. It doesn’t discriminate.

Christian laughs and follows on by saying, “Sometimes I almost want to grab people and give them a good shake and say, ‘Don’t be so f*cking naive!’”

But Christian wants Positive+1 to be more than just a support network. The app partners with HIV charities, donating 10% of proceeds to organizations like the Terrence Higgins Trust and the National AIDS Trust in the UK. They have also built strong US relationships – particularly in high-prevalence states like Nevada with Aid for AIDS Nevada (AFAN), AHF Pharmacy, and, of course, Las Vegas PRIDE.

“Within five years, if all goes to plan, we aim to donate upwards of $35 million,” Christian says.

The app has already seen promising engagement since launching in November 2023. Yet, Christian has faced hurdles along the way, including skepticism and funding difficulties in getting Positive+1 off the ground after over eight years in the making. But for him, creating an inclusive digital space for the HIV community has made the challenges worthwhile. “I hope Positive+1 becomes synonymous with the HIV community,” he says.

“Whether you’re seeking advice, sharing your journey, or celebrating milestones, you’ll find a supportive community on Positive+1 that uplifts and encourages you every step of the way.”

The app has already seen promising engagement since launching in November 2023. Yet, Christian has faced hurdles along the way, including skepticism and funding difficulties in getting Positive+1 off the ground after over eight years in the making. But for him, creating an inclusive digital space for the HIV community has made the challenges worthwhile. “I hope Positive+1 becomes synonymous with the HIV community,” he says.

“Whether you’re seeking advice, sharing your journey, or celebrating milestones, you’ll find a supportive community on Positive+1 that uplifts and encourages you every step of the way.”

Positive+1 is available to download now via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Scan or tap on the QR code for more information.

This article was originally published in the 2024 Winter Issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.