HA HA! LOVE this idea!
CHANGE.ORG-
“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. Please visit our Facebook page.”
As interesting as this is, I have to say I’d prefer this to NOT be.
Bert and Ernie have NEVER struck my – admittedly sheltered – mind as being gay. In todays world especially, where men live in fear of showing any kind of emotion, lest they be categorised as “fem”, unmasculine, or gay, I believe we NEED Bert and Ernie to exist as an example to what genuine friendship should be. If I ever get a friend, I want the relationship to be free. If I want to cry on his shoulder, I don’t want there to be awkwardness because we’re two guys. If There is childish play between us, I don’t want people assuming we’re a gay couple because of it. If I have a friend, I want maturity and understanding, but I also want all of those cute and silly qualities of a childish friendship that makes them so enduring and embedded in most people’s memories.
Introduce a gay couple on Seseme street, SURE! But do NOT do that to Bert and Ernie.
Honestly, I’ll take a return to the non-condescending-to-kids Enjoyed-by-people-of-all-ages non-preachy-we-want-to-teach-you-something style Seseme Street had in its golden Era over this. I was a 90’s kid, yeah, but even I see how horrible the show is now compared to then. Watching clips of previous decades make this even more obvious. Make it a quality FAMILY show again, THEN it’ll be time to tackle the subject of homosexuality.
Bert and Ernie were admittedly “after” my childhood TV-viewing era. I grew up admiring the casual and healthy friendship between Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans, or any number of sitcom man-to-man friendships that never caused a ripple then, but would be pressured into “meaning something” today.
I can remember years ago reading an interview with Muppets creator Jim Henson,in which he was asked about Bert and Ernie’s “relationship.” His response (and I’m paraphrasing, as I can’t quote it directly) was that he was a bit surprised that some saw B&E as a somewhat closeted gay couple. “They’re just friends,” Henson said. “Can’t they just be friends?” Henson went on to say how he felt that perhaps B&E’s living arrangements (etc.) had been co-opted by those reading more into the situation than was there or intended (a freedom seemingly encouraged by “Sesame Street”‘s modernity), presumptions that were not as easily made with “human” kiddie-buds like the aforementioned Captain and his farmer cohort, or Mr. Rogers and Mr. McFeeley.
Now if you REALLY want a fantasy gay couple, there’s Yogi Bear and Boo Boo. Heck, they sleep together all winter and nobody bats an eye.
Enough social philosophy. Let’s get back to looking at naked guys.
This is one stoooooooopid idea.
What Aya said. And he’s so damn cute, too, isn’t he? As well as being smart and all about Bert and Ernie.
whenever i mention that i’m at/going to/coming from a friend’s place, when talking to a gay guy online, they immediately assume i’m having sex with them.
am i not allowed to be just friends with someone? are other gay guys?
no wonder straight people are happy when they add a gay guy to their list of friends, aparently most of us aren’t allowed to have “just” friends.