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.
Some gifts scream practical, others whisper luxury, and a few flat-out blur the lines. From cocoa that feels ceremonial to a cologne that linger like a suggestive smirk, this yearâs ultimate gift picks prove that thoughtful (and occasionally naughty) presents donât have to be prosaic. Welcome to your holiday cheat sheet for festive tangibles that get noticed, remembered, and maybe even result in a peck of gratitude planted under the mistletoe. Consensually, of course.
Amber Glass Champagne Flutes
Pop the champs â but make it vintage. These tulip-shaped stunners in amber-tinted glass bring all the Gatsby vibes without the Jazz-age drama. Whether youâre toasting a milestone or celebrating a Tuesday, their seven-ounce capacities and hand-wash-only care make âem as practical as they are pretty. Pair with a thoughtful bottle of bubs and gift with a glittering wink. $18, NantucketLooms.com
Disaster Playbook by Here Comes the Apocalypse
Because the end of the world shouldnât be a solo act, this spiral-bound guide is your step-by-step roadmap to surviving and thriving when everything else goes sideways, which might be sooner than you think. Packed with checklists, drills, and a healthy dose of humor, itâs like a survival manual written by your most prepared (and slightly snarky) friend. Whether youâre prepping for a zombie apocalypse or, more realistically, REVOLUTION!, this playbookâs got your back. $40, HereComesTheApocalypse.com

Wickless Vulva Candles
Bold, luxurious, and completely flame-free, CTOANâs wickless candles melt from beneath on a warmer, releasing subtle, sophisticated fragrances, like sandalwood or lavender. The vulva-shaped wax adds a playful, provocative element to any space âperfect for a bedroom, living room, or anywhere you want elegance with an edge. A gift that celebrates form, intimacy and self-expression, no fire required. $39, CTOANCO.com
Villeroy & Boch Royal Classic Christmas Collection
Every meal is a mini celebration â with whimsy at every place setting â in Villeroy & Bochâs Royal Classic festive dinnerware collection that hits all the right notes. Made from premium German porcelain, it features nostalgic little toys, nutcrackers, and rocking horses in delicate relief, giving your holiday spread a playful but refined twist. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe, itâs luxe without the fuss. Gift a piece to a special someone, or start a collection theyâll use (and show off) for years to come. $22-$363, Villeroy-Boch.com
Greenworks Electric Lawnmower
You a âhood queen who considers lawn care performance art â or just wants to rule the cul-de-sac in quiet, emission-free glory? Greenworksâ zero-turn electric mower has the muscle of a 24-horsepower gas engine but none of the fumes, drama or maintenance. Six 60V batteries and a 42-inch deck mean you can mow up to two-and-a-half acres on a single charge â then plug in, recharge, and ride again. Itâs whisper-quiet, slope-ready, and smooth enough to make you wonder why you ever pushed anything besides your queer agenda. The perfect gift for the homeowner who loves sustainability, symmetry, and showing off their freshly striped yard like that fresh fade you get on Fridays. $5,000, GreenworksTools.com
Molekule Air Purifier
For the friend who treats their space like a sanctuary (or just canât stand sneezes), the Molekule Air Pro is magic in motion. Covering up to 1,000âŻsquare feet, it doesnât just capture allergens, VOCs, and smoke â it destroys them, leaving your air feeling luxury-clean. FDA-cleared as a ClassâŻII medical device, itâs serious science disguised as modern design. Gift it to your city-dwelling, pet-loving, candle-burning friend who likes their living room as pristine as their Instagram feed. $1,015, Molekule.com

Cipriani Prosecco Gift Set
Effervescent with stone-fruit sweetness and a touch of Italian flair, the Cipriani Bellini & Prosecco gift set brings brunch-level glamour to any day of the week. The Bellini blends rich white-peach purĂ©e with sparkling wine, while the dry âsecco keeps things crisp and celebratory. Pop a bottle, pour a flute, and suddenly winter weeknights feel like a party â even with your pants off. $36, TotalWine.com
Woo(e)d Cologne
British GQ recently crowned Woo(e)d by ALTAIA the âBest Date Night Fragrance,â and honestly, they nailed it. Confident without being cocky â smoky gaĂŻac and Atlas cedarwood grounds the room while supple leather and spicy cardamom do all the flirting â itâs a scent that lingers like good conversation and soft candlelight. Gift it to the one who always turns heads â or keep it for yourself and let them come to (and then on) you. $255, BeautyHabit.com

Lococo Cocoa Kit
Keep the run-of-the-mill mugs in the cabinet this Christmas and pull out Lococoâs handcrafted Oaxacan versions that demand you slow down and sip like it matters. Paired with a wooden scoop, rechargeable frother, and Lococoâs signature spice hot-chocolate blend (vegan, gluten-free, with adaptogenic mushrooms), this holiday kit turns Mexi-cocoa into a mini ritual youâll look forward to. Perfect for anyone who loves a little indulgence with a side of ÂĄA huevo! energy.
Manta Sleep Mask
Total blackout, zero pressure on the eyes, and Bluetooth speakers built right into the straps, this ainât your mamaâs sleep mask â but it could be. The Manta SOUND sleep mask features C-shaped eye cups that block every hint of light while ultra-thin speakers deliver your favorite white noise, meditation, or late-night playlist straight to your ears. With 24-hour battery life, breathable fabric, and easy-to-adjust sound, it turns any bed (or airplane seat) into a five-star sleep suite. Perfect for anyone who treats shut-eye like an art form (or just wants to escape their roommateâs late-night binginâ and/or banginâ). $159, MantaSleep.com

Shacklelock Necklace
Turn the industrial-chic vibe of a shackle into a sleek statement. Mi Tesoroâs platinum-plated stainless-steel necklace sits on an 18-inch wheat chain, featuring a shackle-style latch pendant thatâs waterproof, tarnish-free, and totally fuss-les. Beyond style, it nods to a classic gesture in the queer leather community: replacing a traditional Master lock with something elegant to quietly signal belonging to someone special. Wear it solo for a minimalist edge or layer it like you mean it; either way this piece locks in both your look and your intentions. $90, MiTesoroJewelry.com
Parkside Flask Mojave Edition
Wine nights get a desert glow-up with Parksideâs limited-edition 750-milliliter all-in-one flask draped in sun-washed bronze and badland hues like sage, sand, and terracotta â with magnetic stemless tumblers that snap on for effortless shareability. It keeps your vino chilled for 24 hours, pours without drips (no tears for spilled rosĂ©, please), and even lets you laser-engrave your own mantra or inside joke. Perfect for picnics, surprise rooftop clinks, or gifting to your favorite wine (or desert) rat. $149, HighCampFlasks.com

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has published in more than 100 outlets across the world. Connect with him on Instagram @mikeyroxtravels.
Out & About
Team DCâs holiday party set for Dec. 8
Local LGBTQ sports community celebrates at Trade
Team DC will host its annual holiday party on Monday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at Trade. This event will celebrate Team DCâs sports community, athletes, and Team DCâs accomplishments this past year. Food will be catered by Seasons, and there will be a clothing drive to benefit the DC Center for the LGBT Community.Â
To RSVP, visit Team DCâs Instagram page.
Music & Concerts
Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program
‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned
The full Washington Master Chorale will return for its annual holiday concert tradition with âThine Own Sweet Lightâ on Friday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church (D.C.) and Church of the Epiphany (D.C.).
The concert will feature the rich sounds of the 50-voice, a cappella chorus performing lush, seasonal choral music inspired by the theme of light. Highlights include Edvard Grieg’s âAve Maris Stella,â Eric Whitacre’s âLux Aurumque,â and Christopher Hoh’s âHoly, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts.â The program will also present a new work by Barcelona composer Josep OllĂ© i SabatĂ©, along with charming holiday folk songs and seasonal favorites.
For more details, visit the Washington Master Chorale website.
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