By: Mia Bencivenga

In my ever present quest for insanity within popular culture to comment on (it’s not a quest so much as I wake up every morning, turn on the news and go “oh, well that works”) I have come across a story that, surprisingly, gives me mixed feelings.

I am talking about a recent petition going around that calls for Sesame Street to have Bert and Ernie to come out as a gay couple, despite the fact that the creators of Sesame Street have repeatedly denied the fact that Bert and Ernie are nothing more than just good pals who happen to live together and wear matching sweaters.  

Gay rights activists say this will promote tolerance, by introducing very young children to a gay couple on television.  

I am down with that.  I can fully appreciate what they’re saying.  I mean, if Kermit and Miss Piggy are allowed to publicly be a couple, why should Bert and Ernie hide behind the closed doors of their basement level Sesame Street apartment, embracing only when the camera crew retires for the evening?  That’s not cool.  

At least, that’s what I’d say—if I was not versed in Muppet history—which, luckily for you, I am!

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