Sesame Street producers have
responded to a petition asking PBS to marry stars Bert and Ernie.
The Change.org petition started by Lair
Scott has attracted nearly 6,500 signatures in just a few days.
But the effort won't work, producers
says, because Bert and Ernie are not gay.
“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,” said
Sesame Workshop in a statement posted on Facebook. “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.”
Bert and Ernie have shared an apartment
on the children's show for more than 40 years.
Read
the petition below.
“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,” the petition started by Lair Scott
reads. “Aside from those that are committing suicide, the bullies
that facilitate these tragedies need to learn that homophobia is NOT
okay. They need to know that acceptance of their fellow human beings
would indeed plant a seed of peace that will reverberate throughout
the world. We are not asking that Sesame Street do anything crude or
disrespectful by allowing Bert & 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.”