This week, a petition was circulating about Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie. The petition was encouraging the creators of the show to marry the two best friends. However, the Sesame family stated that even though the two puppets have shared living space with each for over 40 years, they aren't gay and were created to teach tolerance.
They even posted a message on facebook, stating:
"Bert and Ernie are best friends.... They were created to teach preschooler that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves. Even though the are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics... they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation."
The petition was started by an Illinois native by the name of Lair Scott. She shared her beliefs on the issue by stating:
“In this horrific age of LGBT kids taking their own lives, they need to know that they ARE BEAUTIFUL and their lives are worth living. We are not asking that Sesame Street do anything crude or disrespectful. Only that they allow Bert & Ernie to marry or even add a transgender character to the show. 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.”
Since the petition emerged, facebook has been on fire with concerned parents commenting on the petition. In support of the petition, a facebook user wrote:
“As my kids say (ages 8, 5 & 3) Sometimes boys marry boys and girls marry girls. Just like Mommy married Daddy. It doesn’t matter as long as you have your best friend by your side. I think this is a message all children can benefit from. Celebrate differences early and then you don’t have the hate that is coming forth on this page.”
However, those who opposed the petition put in their two cents. One opposed on the matter stated:
“When my child is old enough to understand SEXUALITY then I will expose him to all forms of it. I don’t knock ANYONE’s lifestyle, but come on…REALLY?! How do you explain to a 2 year old that two PUPPET males are getting married? What ever happened to teaching them about general FRIENDSHIP?! This isn’t a hate comment at all, but for those who believe this would be “educational” obviously know nothing about EDUCATON! -VERY DISTURBED EDUCATOR”
Another also stated:
"Sexual relationship content of any kind – heterosexual, homosexual or otherwise – does not belong on a show targeted to preschoolers! It really doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out. There are many other appropriate venues for furthering this discussion, but preschool television is not the right place. It is amazing to me that this even needs to be said"
“When my child is old enough to understand SEXUALITY then I will expose him to all forms of it. I don’t knock ANYONE’s lifestyle, but come on…REALLY?! How do you explain to a 2 year old that two PUPPET males are getting married? What ever happened to teaching them about general FRIENDSHIP?! This isn’t a hate comment at all, but for those who believe this would be “educational” obviously know nothing about EDUCATON! -VERY DISTURBED EDUCATOR”
Another also stated:
"Sexual relationship content of any kind – heterosexual, homosexual or otherwise – does not belong on a show targeted to preschoolers! It really doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out. There are many other appropriate venues for furthering this discussion, but preschool television is not the right place. It is amazing to me that this even needs to be said"
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