Sugar Daddies App Discriminates & Stigmatizes HIV Men

By James Downing

A dating app that promises to link wealthy gay daddies with “healthy gay bears” is facing major backlash after confirming HIV-positive guys are not welcome.
 
DaddyBear defines daddies as “rich men who have more money and social wealth than you do.” But it eschews HIV-positive members because “most mature gay daddies grew up under the macro environment of AIDS epidemic and scare, so they know how to protect themselves and you, and enjoy safe sex with you.”
 
When a Queerty examined the app’s stance, a DaddyBear representative doubled-down in the post’s comment section.
 
“If you are worried about meeting gay men who are living with HIV, then you can feel relieved with our app,” he wrote, “because we are trying our best to make sure that all users you meet will be healthy and without HIV.”

---

The CEO of DaddyBear, “Justin,” confirmed the no-HIV policy to Into, saying, “No one would like to date people living with HIV unless he is living with it [himself].”
 
“Most gay sugar daddies are not living with HIV, so they don’t want to bring home any unwanted souvenirs,” he added. “However, we support that gay men living with HIV have the right to date with other gays with HIV. But many rich and successful gay sugar daddies do not want to date with gay men living with HIV, which is the reason why we launched this app to meet their needs.”
 
DaddyBear’s review section on iTunes has been filled with angry comments.
 
“Horrible app that feeds stereotypes and stigmatizes those living with HIV,” wrote one commenter. “This apps has no place is today’s society and belongs in the trash heap along with the rebel flag and other antiquated views.”

---