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The online dating environment has become much diversified that niche dating sites and apps are propping up the scene for the past ten years. Among these niche dating websites and apps are those that directly cater or support the HIV community and people that have sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

However, these niche sites and other related apps have come under fire recently.

Takepart recently wrote that the newly-published UNICEF report dubbed the spread of HIV in Asia Pacific region as the new hidden epidemic fueled by the explosive use of dating apps in the digital internet age.

On the other hand, The Verge criticized UNICEF of scaremongering as the report lacked an evidence-based claim.

"At this stage, we do not have a definitive causal link between the rise of dating apps and the increase in adolescent HIV", said UNICEF spokesperson Andrew Brown as quoted by The Verge.

Whatever the case may be, the HIV-STD dating sites and apps will continue to find patronage among those who feel alienated and oppressed by mainstream society.

These uniquely-tailored sites and apps offer a fresh start and wonderful opportunities for hookups among romantic seekers who are usually shunned by mainstream society.

BBC reported that increasingly popular websites such as PositiveSingles and DatingPositives allow their registered users to look for potential dates from a wide pool of members with diverse cases of STDs.

This development in the dating environment gives the marginalized HIV-STD sector a new sense of social inclusion. What's even more interesting is that a number of these websites are operating beyond merely providing dating-related services.

As mentioned in Design&Trend, the dating site volttage.com gives its members access to Volttage Buzz- an HIV advocacy-oriented news and issues platform. This unique feature keeps members updated on HIV-related developments.