Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

'Sesame Street' Petition to Make Bert & Ernie Gay Sparks Same-Sex Marriage Debate
Christian Post ^ | 08/11/2011 | Nicola Menzie

Posted on 08/11/2011 11:26:42 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

An online petition that has amassed more than 4,000 signatures is calling on producers of venerable children's show "Sesame Street" to have Bert and Ernie tie the knot.

The change.org petition, started by Lair Scott on August 4, insists that "Sesame Street" can help teach children about "the tolerance of those that are different."

"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," the petition reads.

Producers of the show say Bert and Ernie, two male characters who have shared an apartment and bedroom for decades, will not be getting married to each other or anyone else.

"Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics ... they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation," Sesame Workshop said Thursday in a statement to The Christian Post.

"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."

As of Friday morning, at least 4,391 people had signed on to support the push for the non-profit PBS program to introduce the issue of homosexuality to children.

A Facebook page linked to the petition, entitled "Let Bert & Ernie Get Married On Sesame Street," had also attracted more than 2,000 supporters.

Comments were mixed on both change.org and Facebook, with some responders applauding the petition's push for "equal rights" and others wondering about the wisdom of introducing sexuality on a children's program.

A user on change.org identified as Heather Davis expressed support for gay rights, but added, "I dont feel like its right to let little kids watch it... If you get older and decide you are LGBT then that is your choice but to instill it in children is wrong..."

An oppositional petition had also been launched on change.org and had only gained about 50 signatures by Thursday morning.

According to the program's website, "Sesame Street" is "the place where multiethnic, multigenerational, and even multispecies residents coexist in harmony."

The show, on the air since 1969, starts its 42nd season September 26, 2011.


TOPICS: Education; Society; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: gay; gaymarriage; homosexuality; sesamestreet
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-52 last
To: dfwgator; Chode

41 posted on 08/11/2011 12:45:01 PM PDT by Morgana (I never said one word........)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
In a private, off air interview, the two muppets were asked the following question:

"Bert, Ernie, how would you two respond to the petition being circulated by Change.org requesting the two of you be allowed to marry by your show's producers?"

Bert: "First of all, I ain't no GD faggot and......"

Interviewer: "OK, OK......Ernie, how about you?"

Ernie: "If those GD faggots enjoy unnatural objects inserted into their rectums, I've got an old Louisville Slugger in the apartment that I'd be more than willing to shove up their...."

Interviewer: "Cool down Ernie, I..."

Ernie: "...with 50 pounds of pressure!"

42 posted on 08/11/2011 12:50:23 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (You can't forfeit the game Chuck! If you go home you forfeit!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: trumandogz
Who knows, maybe Sesame Street will have Oscar come out of the can and Big Bird will have rainbow colored tail feathers.

Sunffleupagus has already been spotted in Greenwich Village hotspots.

43 posted on 08/11/2011 12:52:16 PM PDT by montyspython (This thread needs more cowbell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: trumandogz

The only time Jesus alludes to just capital punishment is in the case of people who pervert children. Specifically, that for such a one it were better to fasten a millstone around their neck and that they be thrown into the sea.

The leftists know the battles the can’t fight in the open, they can win by indoctrinating children in secret, then waiting a couple generations.


44 posted on 08/11/2011 12:56:38 PM PDT by tarotsailor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Maybe they can out Mr. Rogers while they are at it.


45 posted on 08/11/2011 12:58:01 PM PDT by Defiant (We are governed by the Oboehner party.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Defiant

Hey, don’t speak ill of the dead ! :)


46 posted on 08/11/2011 12:59:19 PM PDT by SeekAndFind (u)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: windcliff

I suppose Chip & Dale and Heckle & Jeckle should be married too. /s


47 posted on 08/11/2011 1:15:24 PM PDT by stylecouncilor (Some minds are like soup in a poor restaurant...better left unstirred.-PG Wodehouse)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tarotsailor

You are reacting to a Facebook group and not an actual Sesame Street script. The movement has no purpose except to stir up emotion among a certain segment of the population.

And apparently, they have been successful.


48 posted on 08/11/2011 1:44:37 PM PDT by trumandogz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: trumandogz

I comment on a global leftist agenda without mention of Sesame Street, and if you are dismissive of that, I must maintain my position that there *is* an elephant in the room.

Byeieeeee...


49 posted on 08/11/2011 2:47:32 PM PDT by tarotsailor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: Morgana
delenda est...
50 posted on 08/11/2011 2:48:32 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: tarotsailor

It’s not an agenda, it is 4000 of the 750,0000,0000 people on Facebook who did this for a laugh.


51 posted on 08/11/2011 3:40:45 PM PDT by trumandogz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: trumandogz

I just find it strange that the large majority of the children on their little vignettes are some sort of disabled and mostly Down’s.

It’s not reality, and it grows tedious.


52 posted on 08/11/2011 5:47:32 PM PDT by Ouderkirk (Democrats...the party of Slavery, Segregation, Sodomy, and Sedition)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-52 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson