Petition Wants Bert and Ernie to Gay Marry

It's been a closeted secret for years. The two television stars have always had sort of a "wink and nod" sort of thing going when they take the screen together.

Now an online petition started by a woman in Oak Park, Ill. -- and one with potentially deep significance for the Bay Area's large gay community -- wants Sesame Street to officially out Bert and Ernie.

For years, there have been rumors that the popular puppets were gay but Sesame Street Creators have always denied that either has any sexual orientation.

The two are suppose to puppet friends, who not only share a home and a bed, but a tolerance for each others differences, according to the show's creators.

But more than 5,000 people aren't buying it. They have signed the online petition at change.org to ask the hands behind the puppets to have Bert and Ernie enter a gay marriage.

"We are not asking that Sesame Street do anything crude or disrespectful," the petition 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. Let us teach tolerance of those that are different. Let Sesame Street and PBS Kids be a big part in saving many worthy lives."

A statement from the Sesame workshop doesn't look like the show's creators are ready to have their characters take the plunge:

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. Even though the Sesame Street Muppets … possess many human traits and characteristics, they have no sexual orientation.”

To see the petition, visit Change.org.

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