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The Republicans thought it would be lefty mind control cartoons like the ‘Tubbytellies’ or that ‘Squarebob Spongepants’ crowd to pull a stunt like this. They certainly didn’t see it coming from the all American Muppets. As it turns out, despite a wildly popular petition which is still circulating, there is some disparity between the Sesame Street Producers, who claim that the boys are ‘just friends’ and the eager petition signers.
The petition was brought about in part, by a tragic spate of suicides by young people in the LGBT community. Even if Muppet producers hold their ground, the message they originally hoped to spread to preschoolers is just as valid today, and has had influence over a wider audience than they may have anticipated. Producers speaking of Bert and Ernie say, "They were created as Best Friends to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves."