With weather destruction and political theatrics happening around us, it was nice to spend Tuesday afternoon giggling over Twitter’s explosive obsession with news that beloved Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie are in fact homosexual.
A string of amusing threads began following an interview with former Sesame Street writer, Mark Saltzman. When asked if he viewed Bert and Ernie as a gay couple, Saltzman admits he indeed wrote the pair as “a loving couple.” He continued by disclosing that the two iconic characters were loosely based off the relationship he was in at that time. Shortly after the interview went live, Sesame Workshop released a statement of its own declaring that B&E were simply “besties,” and assured its viewers that their puppets do not have any sexual orientation.
This entire ordeal quickly offended everyone, and thus, Bert & Ernie were suddenly trending on social media.
Some twitter users took this opportunity to point out that every Sesame Street tenant was “different” :
With all this talk about Bert & Ernie's sexual orientation, why is no one concerned with Oscar's homelessness?
— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) September 18, 2018
Or Elmo’s ADHD. pic.twitter.com/7XMFM40m2C
— Audrey Benck (@audioxoxo) September 18, 2018
Now that we’re clear on Bert and Ernie, can we now please discuss Big Bird’s massive non-binary vibe.
— Benjamin Law 羅旭能 (@mrbenjaminlaw) September 18, 2018
An ex Sesame Street writer has confirmed that Bert & Ernie are a gay couple. And for chocolate chips, Cookie Monster will be whatever you want him to be.
— Matt Fernandez (@FattMernandez) September 18, 2018
Other users gave zero f*cks and simply had us laughing:
Gay or not, Bert & Ernie need an episode of “Queer Eye” because their style is fucking trash pic.twitter.com/n5IZZKjSQh
— BRUNCH (@ListenToBrunch) September 18, 2018
If Bert & Ernie wore Nike, the bigots of the world would implode.
— .:RiotGrl:. (@RiotGrlErin) September 19, 2018
saw that bert & ernie were trending & was like “uh oh who’d they rape?”
— Megan Neuringer (@MeganNeuringer) September 18, 2018
Of course, when Sesame Workshop claimed, “puppets do not have a sexual orientation,” the Twitter community was quick to point out just how hypocritical that statement was:
Look, Bert and Ernie’s relationship was WAY healthier than Kermit and Miss Piggy’s.
— Jennifer Wright (@JenAshleyWright) September 18, 2018
If Bert and Ernie aren't gay because puppets aren't sexual then what was the go between Kermit and Miss Piggy? Asking for a muppet.
— Peter Broelman (@Broelman) September 19, 2018
People upset about Bert & Ernie should maybe chill out a little. pic.twitter.com/SJAPvjTw52
— Rhea "Defund Police" Butcher (@RheaButcher) September 18, 2018
And thankful, like any good debate, this gave people a perfect opening to preach #alittlelouderforthepeopleintheback:
last Bert & Ernie comment:
there is no world in which a response like that isn't blatantly homophobic
to deny even the concept that 2 male characters can be romantically together "because it's a kids show" always, always implies queer love isn't appropriate for children to see
— Char ✨ Endgame: @CharCubedSpoils (@CharCubed) September 18, 2018
Bert & Ernie being gay wouldn't erase their other qualities, as Frank here is implying. They wouldn't become "only" gay.
But that's how they see us.
And until people stop saying things like "of course" a character who never said otherwise isn't gay, yes, it does really matter. https://t.co/A3OIlASSfe
— Valerie Anne (@PunkyStarshine) September 18, 2018
If there's anyone out there having a meltdown because Bert & Ernie might be gay, please turn your concern to the children taken from their parents and put in detention camps. B&E are puppets. Those kids are humans, and I'm 100% sure Jesus cares more about them. Matthew 19:14.
— Kristan Higgins (@Kristan_Higgins) September 18, 2018
The Bert & Ernie thread gave me a variety of feels, but these two tickled me the most:
https://twitter.com/FixYourLife/status/1042127789820788736
Why is it so shocking that Bert & Ernie are gay? Shit, they don't even speak unless they have a guy's hand up their ass. #Bert #ernie
— John Melendez (@stutteringjohnm) September 18, 2018
If you grew up watching Sesame Street, the characters may hold a special place in your heart. And, really, why shouldn’t the couple be happy? Whether it’s a bro-mance or a romance, let’s allow Bert and Ernie to live peacefully and continue to teach the next generation about kindness, tolerance, and the letter of the day. Twitter was a nice distraction, but we can all agree, crucial things are happening around us, so let’s leave the puppets to the children.
Featured image via USAG-Humphreys on Flickr