TBS’s long-running animated sitcom, American Dad!, has crowned one of its main characters, Roger the alien, as a drag icon in a recent campaign supporting The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization focused on suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth.
Celebrating 350 Episodes with a Drag-tastic Campaign
As the show celebrated its 350th episode, a social media campaign was launched to highlight Roger’s penchant for gender-bending and campy drag outfits. Known as an agent of chaos and master of outlandish disguises, Roger has often been voted “The Gayest Cartoon Character of All Time.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni, Trixie Mattel and Trinity the Tuck, officially dubbed Roger a “drag icon” in a video promoting the campaign. Ahead of the milestone episode, TBS organized an online contest for fans to vote on Roger’s next drag persona, with the winning character, Gelatiné Lycheé, set to appear in the sitcom’s upcoming 21st season.
Supporting the Trevor Project, One Hashtag at a Time
In an effort to raise funds for The Trevor Project, TBS pledged to donate $1 for every quote-tweet of the promotional video that includes the hashtag #AmericanDrag, up to a total of $20,000, until May 12. A spokesperson for the Trevor Project expressed gratitude for TBS’s partnership, highlighting the importance of creating more affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ young people.
A Return to Political Commentary Amidst Increasing Anti-LGBTQ+ Sentiments
The drag-centric campaign marks a return to political commentary for American Dad!, which began in 2005 as a satire of post-9/11 conservatism. Over its 20 seasons, the show transitioned to a more absurdist comedy style, downplaying its political messaging during the Obama and Trump administrations. The campaign comes at a crucial time, as drag and LGBTQ+ topics face increasing opposition from right-wing hate groups and anti-LGBTQ+ politicians. Critics argue that legislation targeting LGBTQ+ issues, such as gender-affirming care bans for transgender youth, could have severe mental health consequences, with CDC research pointing to “minority stress” caused by social stigma as a significant factor in increased rates of violence and mental distress among LGBTQ+ teens.
