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AE: Brokeback Mountain has really opened the door for gay films to be more high-profile and more complex. What kind of gay-themed films would you like to see developed?
CD: My friend Chad Allen stars in a series of detective movies (Third Man Out) based on the Donald Strachey novels. He plays a gay private eye that's gutsy, interesting and has depth. I love that.

Brokeback Mountain squashed stereotypes and told a real story, one that resonated with a lot of people. I don't think it's okay for our community to just make gay material and pat ourselves on the back anymore. We need to challenge ourselves to create really great films and television programming that continues to raise the bar, that interests not only ourselves but straight people as well. If the material is brilliant, as in the case of Brokeback Mountain, those are the films that have the power to create huge social change.

AE: Your show Dante's Cove is still somewhat of a rarity (as a gay-themed television show). How has the experience on Dante's Cove been for you? Is it more fun to be able to play a gay character?
CD: I've had a great time with the talented cast and crew of Dante's Cove. We're just wrapping our second season in Hawaii and it's been amazing. I feel really blessed to have a profession that I love and am passionate about everyday. I'm living many people's dream and I don't take it for granted.

Dante's Cove is like a gay/lesbian Charmed. It's a guilty pleasure, soapy, dishy and delectable escapism.

It's been an amazing experience to come out as an actor and be cast in a gay original series on America 's premier gay/lesbian television network. I think what here! TV is accomplishing is amazing and really propelling our community forward in terms of programming options.

I also host a travel show, Bump! that airs in Canada, US, France Belgium, and Israel on gay networks. The synergy of being out and the advent of these gay networks is very exciting. People always ask me if I'm concerned I'll get type-cast gay. Honey, type casting isn't such a horrible thing for an actor, it means people know who you are and you're working. Of course I want to play diverse and challenging roles but the sexuality of the character isn't important to me. I'd be happy to play ‘gay' forever if the stories we're sharing have a broad spectrum and accurately reflect who we are.

AE: Dante's Cove has some pretty steamy love scenes. What are the challenges of shooting scenes like that?
CD: Challenges in shooting love scenes...Honestly it's not anywhere near as sexy as some may imagine. It's all about nose placement, lighting, choreography. I only ever work with Gregory Michael or Jonny Fleming in the show and both are terrific. It's very comfortable. We play poker and drink beer afterwards.

AE: Are any of the other actors on Dante's Cove openly gay?
CD: You'll have to ask them! Gabriel Romero, who is in season two, is open about his bisexuality and has a nice following in the Latino market. He's an extremely enlightened soul and a joy to work with.

AE: Can you give us any hints about what might be coming up for your character on Dante's Cove? Any new directions the show might be taking?
CD: For fans of Dante's Cove who watched last season my character, Toby, had a misfortunate occurrence at the end of Season one. Am I still 'taking a swim' at the bottom of the ocean? Season two has some fantastic additions to cast like Thea Gill, Jonny Fleming, Erin Cummings and Michelle Wolfe. Some really fine actors and amazing friends. The girls are hot and the boys are gonna be drooling over Jonny.

The supernatural elements are heightened and the story has a clean, intriguing line with an interesting ensemble of characters. Anyone who enjoyed season one is definitely going to love season two. We're back with more of your favorite guilty pleasure!

Get more info at CharlieDavid.com.

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