Bert and Ernie Are Not Gay: Sesame Street Rep
Credit: PBS/Courtesy Everett Collection
Bert and Ernie, Sesame Street's favorite longtime roommates, are not getting married -- because they're not gay, or straight, for that matter.
Earlier this month, inspired by New York state's recent legalization of gay marriage, an online petition argued the case that the popular Muppet characters wed one another.
But Sesame Workshop nixed that idea in a statement posted on the official Sesame Street Facebook page on Thursday:
"Bert and Ernie are best friends. They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves. Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics (as most Sesame Street Muppets do), they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation."
With over 8,000 total signatures, the original petition read: "We are not asking that Sesame Street do anything crude or disrespectful by allowing Bert and Ernie to marry. It can be done in a tasteful way. Let us teach tolerance of those that are different. Let Sesame Street and PBS Kids be a big part in saving many worthy lives."
Tell Us What You Think
28Stop trying to teach little children that homosexuality is normal; it's NOT! It's WRONG, SICK, and GROSS! The Bible says: "What! Do you not know... men who lie with men... will not inherit Gods Kingdom". - 1st Corinthians 6:9,10. "And you must not lie down with a male the same as you lie down with a woman. It's a detestable thing". - Leviticus 18:22... DETESTABLE! Look it up if you don't believe it. If you're a true Christian, you will accept this teaching... the Bible is clear!
I agree with you Jess. Well said. Quit trying to force "gay" on our children. They have enough in this world to deal with and making their puppets "gay" is something they don't need to deal with right now. Let them be kids and let the puppets be puppets. Thank you Sesame Street for making a right decision re: our children. It's not OK to force "gay" on our kids or on us. If you want to be "gay" good for you. Be the best "gay" you can be. I won't judge, but I don't want it shoved down our throats.
this is insane... what the hell??? why the hell draw innocent children into something SO wrong as same-sex marriage. Man and woman; that works... man and man??? or woman and woman??? the world has been turned up-side-down.
They're puppets!! For pete's sake. Puppets have no will, no cognizance, and no naught bits... the whole notion of puppet sexuality is idiotic.
my kids loved bert and ernie. quit trying to pervert their friendship!!!!
Gay people are created by God. Any educated Christian knows this.
LMAO! I can't stop laughing. They are PUPPETS, people.
they are room mates . is every man who roommates with another man gay? Leave them alone!!! i love Sesame Street and so my kids and so will my grandchildren!!!!
WTH who in their sick mind would think something like that???!!! SMH...i am 51yrs old and i grew up watching Sesame Street. so whoever is thinking like this needs either to get off the drugs or get on them!!!!!!! how dare you make a kids learning show look bad. the only one that looks bad is you....the one who thinks bert n ernie are gay...why are you???? lol SMH again!!!! i love you Sesame Street!!!!!
aww I always thought they made a great couple
Leave it alone. Create new, and leave the good ones alone. They are good friends, leave it at that. Little kids have enougth to deal with.
Don't try to mess with anyone's minds let alone a child's that God created people to be gay! HE DID NOT!!!
They should remain what they have always been..best friends.
I'm so over all of this gay stuff. People are gay, GOOD FOR THEM! Why do they have to force it on everyone else, and try and change a preschoolers show?! Whoever thought Bert and Ernie were gay... come on. Like they said, there's no sexual orientation in that show. It's about teaching kids lessons and how to be nice. Next there's going to be a demand that J.K. Rowling right a book about Dumbledore's life when he was alive as a gay wizard.
I think that they teach kids how to be a good friend. That is great!
They aren't gay. DEAL WITH IT. I'm all for tolerance, but don't force something that isn't there.
To all the people in here against it. There is nothing wrong with teaching kids tolerance and respect. Even when i was 6, i knew what marriage was. What's wrong with teaching kids the fact that there are different orientations in life, and we should love, respect, and treat them all equally? The only people who would disagree, are those that feel that homosexuality is wrong. Homosexuality is never wrong. It is a natural variation of human sexuality created by either God or mother nature.
do not allow the gay propaganda toforce you to make these puppets homosectuals!!!
WTF really?!?!? So sick and tired of morons!!!
I so agree its Preschool show. Come on people let them learn their ABC's and numbers before throwing everyhting else on them geeezzzzz......