The Charm Offensive

Charlie Winshaw’s sexual awakening while he features as the male love interest on a reality dating show with 20 female contestants, demonstrates the ramifications of a lack of LGBTQ+ representation. Raised to hide his emotions and conform to heteronormative expectations, Charlie recalls his father instilling that “real men don’t cry, and they definitely don’t talk publicly about their self-care” (75). Charlie’s lack of exposure to diverse books and television in adolescence becomes apparent as he is introduced to the spectrum of sexuality through his own unfolding attraction to Dev Deshpande. Charlie’s difficulties with self-acceptance are intertwined with his confusion about his sexuality, as he has always been taught that anything outside heteronormativity was morally wrong. Due to this background, Dev and Charlie’s relationship development is troublesome and confusing for Charlie: “The terrifying thing is, he doesn’t know what any of it means” (126). Charlie’s self-discovery while getting to know Dev prevents Charlie the opportunity to learn about his sexuality independently, away from the consuming attraction he feels for his producer.

Ever After’s later development to accurately depict how Charlie and Dev fall in love on the show also illustrates the power of LGBTQ+ love and representation, as it opens the door for their relationship to resume and for others to feel confident in speaking their truths.