As part of an effort to support LGBT teens, an online campaign wants Sesame Street‘s Bert and Ernie — the male puppet roommates with an Odd Couple-esque relationship — to say “I do.”
The campaign includes a petition on Change.org and a Facebook Page that has already amassed a rather large following. The petition has garnered close to 8,000 signatures in nine days.
“We are not asking that Sesame Street do anything crude or disrespectful,” it reads. “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.”
The petition’s creator, Lair Scott, was inspired by the “It Gets Better” series of videos launched by columnist Dan Savage. “The videos are giving support and hope to the youth out there, and I am just trying to do the same,” says Scott.
Sesame Streetresponded to the petition Thursday on its Facebook Page — pointing out that the puppets are neither gay nor straight.
“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,” says the post. “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.”
What do you think of the petition’s aim? Should everyone’s favorite roomies tie the knot?
More About: Bert and Ernie, change.org, facebook, sesame streetFor more Media coverage:Follow Mashable Media on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Media channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:26:40 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/CCXCFw62u1k/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/12/bert-ernie-married/#comments
The campaign includes a petition on Change.org and a Facebook Page that has already amassed a rather large following. The petition has garnered close to 8,000 signatures in nine days.
“We are not asking that Sesame Street do anything crude or disrespectful,” it reads. “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.”
The petition’s creator, Lair Scott, was inspired by the “It Gets Better” series of videos launched by columnist Dan Savage. “The videos are giving support and hope to the youth out there, and I am just trying to do the same,” says Scott.
Sesame Streetresponded to the petition Thursday on its Facebook Page — pointing out that the puppets are neither gay nor straight.
“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,” says the post. “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.”
What do you think of the petition’s aim? Should everyone’s favorite roomies tie the knot?
More About: Bert and Ernie, change.org, facebook, sesame streetFor more Media coverage:Follow Mashable Media on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Media channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:26:40 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/CCXCFw62u1k/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/12/bert-ernie-married/#comments