This week I’m delighted to welcome a brand new contributor to the zine – Gabbi Grey, who writes contemporary, somewhat angsty m/m romance. She’s come up with a fascinating piece about gay Canadian actor and narrator Charlie David, who’s been at the forefront of LGBTQ content on TV for many years. He’s not someone I’m familiar with so it was really interesting to read about him. And if you fancy finding out more about Gabbi, you can check out her website here.
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Canadian Charlie David has been at the forefront of providing audiences with a glimpse into the gay experience for almost two decades now and he shows no signs of slowing down.
I first encountered Charlie as a narrator. He helms one of my favorite series – Gregory Ashe’s Borealis Investigation series. North and Shaw are two endearing characters and Charlie brings them to life in a wonderful way. He’s also narrated Damon Suede’s Hot Head as well as several series for Ella Frank including Confessions and Prime Time. Even now, he’s one of the few narrators whose voice I can conjure up at a will. I wish I could have him narrate some of my books.
My second encounter with Charlie was as an actor. I watched Shadowlands which was a series of three episodes. Charlie didn’t star in the first two – one about a surgeon in 1928 who was obsessed with perfection (this one was a little dark and disturbing) or the story of two men in 1951 sorting out their relationship. The final story was about a young couple. One man falls ill and, tragically, dies. The other man is left to sort out the grief and pain. He does so by creating a painting of his dead lover. OMG, all the feelz. I still remember how I felt watching Charlie’s performance. Stunned and moved. Also, a song and video came out of that – Marc Devigne’s Ca Fa. I watched it again while preparing to write this piece and I was moved just as much this time as those previous.
Charlie’s also a producer and director. I recently watched his documentary film, Pat Rocco Dared. I loved how he showed the aging director’s love for the male love story. Charlie also has produced some wonderful series out of Toronto including Drag Heals – about how embracing drag can bring healing – and Dating Unlocked. I love queer people of all stripes finding love in whatever form that comes in. He also did a documentary about the healing power of touch, Serviced. I was thrilled to see my cousin! That one has a special place in my heart. Also worth checking out are: I’m a Porn Star: Gay4Pay, I’m a Stripper, and the older, but lovely Scenes from a Gay Marriage.
I’ve only touched on Charlie’s immense talent, but I encourage readers and connoisseurs of LGBTQ content to search out his body of work. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1263747/
RoM/Mantic Reads 
Wow, Gabbi! Thanks for the heads-up; I hadn’t heard of Charlie David! I’ll have to check him out! Oh, and welcome to the wild rumpus that is RoMMantic Reads!
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