I Think many of us share your perspective. We’re still human. Have feelings, doubts etc.

You told him, he reached out.
Maybe he did need to think about it. Songs own homework. Answer his own questions.
For you, you were probably ready for him to reach out immediately.

I say go for it. Why discount the relationship ahead of time, and already hurt yourself.
At least give it a try. You may not like him, 🤷‍♀️

Better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

I graduated to a new level of acceptance and told a new friend about my status.

She’s the first person I have verbally ever told.

The guy in question has been video calling me on whattsapp. He told me his previous partner was also HIV+. It seems he wants to start dating me, after a week of silence, however he lives in Ipswich, a Town around 170 miles away. I'll probably visit him once I get my hot water plumbing problem resolved.

I'd meet up and take it slow. Get to know each other, but you will never know unless you step out of your shell. The hard part is out of the way and with PrEP and other medical advances hopefully HIV can just be a talking point and the fun can begin after that. You are a good looking catch someone will notice and maybe it's him.

I understand your fragile state of mind Mark. But if you can give yourself a break and just enjoy the date. It's not marriage it's not a commitment it's a date. Perhaps make some plans on doing something fun with each other that does not involve sex and learn to like each other at the start.

I would definitely proceed. He may have needed time to process the information. Or he could have been just busy. There’s nothing wrong with meeting a person for coffee and a light meal. The conversation the two of you will have could possibly lead to friendship or a dead end. Take that chance