Arts & Entertainment
Lance Bass says ‘Finding Prince Charming’ cast member is HIV-positive
Bachelor thinks ‘It’s really a stigma that we have to resolve now’

(Screenshot via LOGO)
“Finding Prince Charming” host Lance Bass has confirmed rumors a cast member will reveal he is HIV-positive on the show.
“It is true,” Bass told People Magazine about the gay dating reality show. “This is one of the things I love about the show â it’s a fun reality show, it’s dramatic, but there’s a lot of heart in it and amazing story lines that you’re going to shed a tear over. And one of those is finding about this guy’s HIV.”
“All of us know someone that is living with HIV, and I think the stigma is still really bad out there â people are just so uneducated about it,” Bass continued. “To us, obviously it doesn’t matter at all, we’ve been around it so much, but I think this is really going to educate a lot of people. I’m excited for people to watch it, especially this episode.”
The contestants will be competing for the affections of Robert SepĂșlveda Jr. who told People Magazine that the contestant’s HIV status did not deter him from giving him the same chance at love as everyone else.
“For me, it’s like: Is someone HIV-positive not worthy of love?” SepĂșlveda Jr. says. “That’s really the question, and it doesn’t matter to me. ‘Prince Charming’ would be accepting of anyone, and that’s how I am.”
“In the gay community, in just any community, if you have a disease, it’s not going to be anything that someone’s going to push you away from,” SepĂșlveda Jr. continued . “Again, me being ‘Prince Charming’ â the guy that everyone’s vying for their attention â I’m not going to not date someone because they’re HIV-positive. That’s ridiculous. It’s really a stigma that we have to resolve now.”
“Finding Prince Charming” airs on LOGO Thursday, Sept. 8 at 9 p.m.
Cupidâs Undie Run, an annual fundraiser for neurofibromatosis (NF) research, was held at Union Stage and at The Wharf DC on Saturday, Feb. 21.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)













Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 â and theyâre kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.
To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.
For more details, visit Sweat DCâs website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
Friday, Feb. 20
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga will be at noon at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome! Weâll have card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the Centerâs website.Â
Go Gay DC will host âFirst Friday LGBTQ+ Community Socialâ at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.Â
Saturday, Feb. 21
Go Gay DC will host âLGBTQ+ Community Brunchâ at 11 a.m. at Freddieâs Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Queer Talk DC will host âThe Black Gay Flea Marketâ at 1 p.m. at Doubles in Petworth. There will be more than 15 Black queer vendors from all over the DMV in one spot. The eventâs organizers have reserved the large back patio for all vendors, and the speak easy for bar service, which will be serving curated cocktails made just for the event (cash bar.) DJ Fay and DJ Jam 2x will be spinning the entire event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, Feb. 23
âCenter Aging: Monday Coffee Klatchâ will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam at [email protected].
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so â by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the groupâs Facebook.Â
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether youâre bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that youâre not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.Â
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking â allowing participants to move away from being merely âapplicantsâ toward being âcandidates.â For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].Â
Thursday, Feb. 26
The DC Centerâs Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.Â
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Centerâs website. Â
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