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For decades there have been rumors and insinuations about the super-close relationship between Sesame Street's loveable characters Bert and Ernie. But after 40 years of silence, the children's show has publicly addressed the issue of the best buddies, and the verdict is: They're not gay.
After online petitions and Facebook fan pages popped up urging Sesame Workshop to let the co-habitating best friends marry (Sesame Street is set in New York, where gay marriage became legal earlier this year), the creators behind PBS' long-running educational program finally felt the need to respond.
"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," Sesame Workshop posted on the show's Facebook page on Aug. 11. "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."
Considering the fact that Bert and Ernie are best friends who've lived together -- in a one bedroom! -- at 123 Sesame Street since 1969, it's easy to see why so many fans thought the free-spirited, rubber-ducky-loving Ernie and his easily flustered, pigeon-obsessed pal were more than just apartment mates.
But Sesame Street has had its say; they're just life-long bachelor Muppets, who unlike Miss Piggy and Kermit, aren't romantically involved.
