A Durham Story: Chuck Wheeler and the OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival

In 2025, the Carolina Theatre will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival and all the incredible artists and stories that have been a part of its history over the last three decades. One person who has been there for every twist and turn of the journey is Chuck Wheeler, now the festival’s manager and de facto community ambassador extraordinaire. Chuck was recently recognized for his contributions by becoming an Out100 honoree for 2024 and shared why this is such a poignant moment for OUTSOUTH and Durham.

“I am humbled to be one of the 2024 honorees of the Out100 list of LGBTQ+ individuals – both legends and newcomers – who represent the most noteworthy change-makers, artists, and leaders in the queer community. This award is the equivalent of an “Oscar” to us. Just call me a supporting player.

I attended a small film festival at the Carolina Theatre of Durham in 1995. The event was part of that year’s June Pride Celebration. It was called “A Salute to Pride,” and the Carolina Theatre hosted it. Despite a small but exceptionally vocal conservative minority that protested the festival, both Durham and the theater widely supported it. They put on a show that firmly situated Pride on the map of a state that was otherwise, at the time, opposed to the freedom that would allow us to be ourselves.

Due to its popularity in the LGBTQ+ community, the theater decided to curate its own festival in 1996. Since its official inception that year, I have been associated with the OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival, or the North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (NCGLFF) as it was originally named, for nearly 30 years. From Development volunteer to Film Programming Co-Chair to contracted OUTSOUTH Festival Manager, I have been there to witness its evolution. There have been many wonderful folks involved in making this festival what it was and continues to be. Today, OUTSOUTH attracts thousands of attendees yearly, and it is one of the largest LGBTQ+ film festivals in the Southeast.

The historic and beloved Carolina Theatre and the Durham community are the foundation of the festival and its story. Durham is a small city, but I have described it repeatedly as an oasis for the LGBTQ+ community. Queer-friendly doesn’t begin to describe how welcoming this town is, and our community is thriving thanks to its advocacy. I attended Duke University here. Durham’s open world allowed a young, confused young man to come out in the late 70s and to express himself freely. This is a very special place. The Carolina Theatre and OUTSOUTH are an integral part of this city’s embrace.

OUTSOUTH has provided the LGBTQ+ community a chance to gather as one – in the safe space of this wonderful venue – in the face of growing political adversity and escalating violence against us, especially our transgender members. Throughout its storied history, along with the Carolina Theatre and dozens of volunteers and the unwavering support from the citizens of Durham, we have sought to provide a window into our past, present, and future. With an emphasis on progress, I should add. OUTSOUTH is our opportunity to gather together as a community to celebrate – and to share – our accomplishments and to proclaim that we refuse to go back. That is why, now more than ever, OUTSOUTH’s existence is vital, as is the continued success of the Carolina Theatre. Together, we represent everyone in the community. We are family.”

Your donation to our annual appeal will help to bring the OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival back for its landmark 30th anniversary in 2025 and supports all the artists and filmmakers who bring their creativity to its stages every year. Please consider making a gift to make a meaningful difference to all who share in this vibrant community programming. All of this is possible because of you and we are grateful for your continued support.

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