Big Gay Al is a recurring side-character of the show South Park who first appeared in the Season One episode, "Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride". He is known for his flamboyant and positive demeanor and usually responds to the greeting "How are you?" with an upbeat "I'm super! Thanks for asking!"
Background[]
Gay Animal Sanctuary[]
In his first appearance in "Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride", he ran an animal sanctuary reserved for gay animals who had been rejected by homophobic pet owners. He temporarily adopted Sparky, Stan Marsh's homosexual dog, who had run away from home after Stan had gotten upset with him. Stan then wanted Sparky back, and Big Gay Al agreed to return him, but only after explaining homosexuality to Stan. Later on in the episode, his large shelter transforms into a briefcase and flies away, but the various animals remain and are reclaimed by their owners, who had missed them very much.
Entertainer[]
He had a minor role in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, where it was revealed that he is in fact a celebrity. He was the co-host and an entertainer at the troops' USO show, in which he performed his own musical number, "I'm Super". His singing voice for the song was provided by Trey Parker.
Scouts Leader[]
In "Cripple Fight", He later took up the position of scout master of troop 69, since he had been in the scouts since he was nine years old. However, the parents of the children were uneasy about a gay scout leader, and subsequently, the club fired him. The boys, however, didn't like their new Scouts Leader, and rallied to get Al back, and Gloria Allred and others forced the Scouts to re-accept him. He rejected this, saying he knows the Scout leaders are still good men, and since the scouts are a private club, they should have the right to exclude people if they choose to, just as he has the right to express himself as a gay man.
Appearance[]
He wears a pink button-up Hawaiian shirt patterned with different colours open at the top, exposing his left nipple, a baby blue neckerchief, and brown corduroy trousers. His skin is heavily tanned. Big Gay Al is thick set and has brown hair, eyelashes, a mustache, and very red lips. It is notable that he has one light blue earring, as well as a green watch on his right hand, and a looser green nondescript bracelet.
In the future timeline set in South Park: Post Covid, his hair has faded and turned into an ashy colour, and his skin is no longer tanned. He wears a light grey jacket with intricate light blue patterning on it. The lapels of said jacket are a darker grey and have white frills, as well as the cuffs of the sleeves. Underneath this, he wears a glittery sky blue button-up shirt with cobalt blue edges, and a cobalt blue bowtie with a white jabot underneath. He has white dress pants on and white ankle boots with black soles.
Personality[]
He is a stereotypical homosexual: upbeat, happy, optimistic, and flamboyant. He appears to be very passionate about things he loves, saving homosexual animals in "Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride", being in the scouts since age nine in "Cripple Fight", and etc. It is shown in his debut that he smokes.