Among the millions of views and likes, the messages that stayed with Chris Stanley weren't about going viral. They came from viewers who said his videos had helped them accept themselves.

Some were young people coming to terms with their sexuality. Others were older adults finally embracing who they are.

"I just feel grateful that my mostly funny, sometimes more serious videos are able to help people like that," he said.

In a wide-ranging interview with OutSFL, Stanley reflected on the experiences that shaped his work, his move to South Florida and why he's expanding beyond viral videos into documentaries, short films and advocacy.

Through candid street interviews, travel vlogs, and funny queer videos, the social media creator known as StanChris has amassed nearly two million followers across multiple platforms.

"I always try to keep my content more lighthearted, funny, and just show that we're still here, we're not going anywhere, we can still thrive."

For Stanley, success has never been measured only by followers or viral views. Bringing joy to people's lives is more important.

"I just don't like negativity," he said.

The 26-year-old doesn't particularly like the label "influencer," preferring to think of himself as a creator. One thing creating content has taught Stanley over the years is just how fortunate he was to have the support of his family after coming out.

After coming out in high school, Stanley lost most of his close friends, an experience that continues to shape the messages he shares today.

“Sometimes I just have to remind myself how lucky I actually got to have an accepting family, and even though things didn't go well for me right after I came out,” he said. “I still always did have my family, and there were other people who things did not go as well for them.” 

Stanley's next chapter is unfolding in South Florida. 

After the end of a long-term relationship, the New Hampshire native relocated here nearly two years ago. He now spends his free time longboarding, playing pickleball in Wilton Manors and, more recently, exploring yoga. While the Florida heat took some getting used to, he said the region has steadily grown on him.

Stanley amassed a following by being cute, witty and funny. Now he's challenging himself to do more.

“I still like to push myself to keep trying to do something better,” he said. 

Years earlier, Stanley often spent those lonely lunch periods in the library, writing poems and stories featuring queer characters. Today, documentaries and short films have become another way to tell queer stories.

Stanley has used Pride festivals and other events as backdrops for his content. But one day he wondered what would happen if, instead of seeking out the biggest Pride festival, he found the smallest. Enter Morganville, West Virginia, population 3,000.

A follower recommended the town's Pride festival, and Stanley decided not only to visit but to make a documentary about the festival and the people who call Morganville home. With only about 100 attendees and a 10-minute parade of roughly 10 cars, Stanley believes it may be the smallest Pride festival in America.

“It was actually a very unique experience, because it was the smallest Pride I've ever been to,” he said. “It almost felt like they really weren't welcome to have the Pride at all. There were a bunch of problems that happened, but it still ended up happening. I'm hoping that they keep growing. It was really intimate.”

He interviewed locals about queer life in Morganville, many of whom expressed hope their little festival would continue to grow.

A much larger Pride celebration in Rhode Island left an impression for a completely different reason: rain.

“So everyone was just outside in the rain, like dancing. It was really unique,” he said. “I thought maybe it would be canceled. Maybe people wouldn't show up. But everyone still came out. Everyone was partying, and it was really giving, like, Lady Gaga rain on me vibes. It was so fun.”  

Beyond documentaries, Stanley recently produced an award-winning short film called Demon Twink. The satirical horror-comedy explores the gay community's obsession with youth through the story of an older man who encounters a “demon twink” offering him eternal youth — but at a cost.

Stanley is also finding new ways to use his platform for good. During Pride Month, he partnered with the Human Rights Campaign for his first major fundraiser, saying he wanted to give back to the community that helped shape him.

The themes explored in Demon Twink also show up throughout Stanley's work. He’s a big fan and supporter of the bear community, even producing another documentary, Unbearably Beautiful, that takes a closer look at Bear Week in P-Town and the community it celebrates. Stanley hopes his videos help people feel better about themselves. That includes encouraging viewers to reject the often unrealistic body expectations found within the gay community.

“There is a lot of pressure to conform to gay body standards. So I've always just wanted to make it clear that there are people who like all body types,” he said. “You don't have to be skinny, or have abs, to be hot or desirable to gay men. There are definitely many people who exist who like all kinds of body types. I just want to try and help spread that message as much as possible. I hope that people who might be feeling less confident, can find their confidence and know that they are still beautiful and attractive.”

Even though Stanley is exploring longer-form content, he said he has no plans to leave behind the family videos, travel content and humor that first made him popular.

"I still do want to keep my normal content that I do,” he said. “But I do really want to do just more higher quality stuff as well."

His ambitions are only getting bigger. One day, he'd like to create a queer reality series.

But despite making a living in front of the camera, Stanley isn't quite the fast-talking personality viewers might expect. During the interview, he often paused before answering, taking his time to think through the questions.

"People always assume I'm super outgoing," he said. "Then they actually meet me and they're like, 'Wow, you're so quiet.'"