Here we go, buzzfeed reported yesterday:
An online petition and Facebook group are urging the makers of Sesame Street to finally let Bert make and honest man out of Ernie. They do live in New York, after all.
Fromt the petition:
“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. 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. 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.”
Buzfeed
Petition (Change.org)
Facebook Page
Bert and Ernie are technically kids. Others have suggested bringing in gay human characters, and I like that idea. It could definitely work!
ReplyDeleteWhether they are gay or not, can they marry their BROTHER? 'Cause that's what I always thought they were.
ReplyDeleteomg! I'm not against it, but... it would be strange! :P maybe add a new character? well, whatever they do, it'll be fine! it's a good idea! =)
ReplyDeleteWhy do they have to add gay characters at all? Nobody watches that show for relationships, they watch it cause its a kids show.
ReplyDeleteBecause it could teach kids that there's nothing wrong with being gay or gay people. Simple as that.
ReplyDeleteThe odd part is that they do live and have been living like brothers since I was a kid. That's a long time. What difference will it make?
ReplyDeleteI don't buy that. I have no issue with gay people/couples, I have friends who are gay. I support gay marriage. BUT. And this is a huge BUT. Does the show teach kids about relationships? Sex? Marriage in general? When I was a child, the answer was no. So no, I'd rather not a tv show educate kids about gay people/couples. Then again, I don't trust TV to not screw it up as well.
ReplyDeleteyou dont do that to kids it can mess with there heads best to just leave it all to the imagination
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, pushing a gay agenda when there isn't already a hettie one in place isn't teaching anything imo
ReplyDeleteI am amyTHEpeace and I approve this message.
ReplyDeleteI always thought they were brothers too.
ReplyDeleteThey are not brothers, you can calm down...Bert has a brother Bart, link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_2XYQ_BloA
Ahh, ok...not brothers...but, they still seem like 10 year old friends living in an apartment without parents, somehow.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of cartoons that have inconsistencies with the term friendship. But I think we shouldn't touch them. If you want to make children more LGBT-concsious - create new cartoons and leave the old ones. Because if we were to analyze every single classic cartoons....
ReplyDeleteEven though thinker offered proof that they are not brothers, they will always be brothers to me as well 'cause I always thought they were *gg*
ReplyDeleteSesame street aged children have no reason or need to understand sexual relationships. All they need to know is that they are friends. What's next a B and E sex tape? They are puppets people!!!!! Come on, even the kids know that!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Marrying Bert and Ernie would be odd. Adding in a real life gay couple would not be. The show is already well known for including minorities (the 1980s version of the cast included several Black couples, a Latino couple, and a possible white couple in which one of the actors was deaf)... But they should leave the puppets alone. The puppets teach simple lessons and are often no more than escapist humour. The adults on the street teach the more complex lessons.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for teaching children it's okay to love all people for who they are but we're talking about a preschool show here. Most children that young don't know about sexual orientation, heck they don't even really know what marriage is. Characters in Sesame Street regardless of sex aren't even attracted to each other, puppets or people. It's a preschool show. It's their to be entertaining and teach children how to do their ABC's, count, make friends and deal with situations that children their age would have to deal with like a good friend moving away or mommy/daddy being away a lot for work. I heard they had an episode that dealt with someone dying (I think it was after 9/11) and even that was a bit much for Sesame Street.
ReplyDelete