It seems the landmark rulings by the Supreme Court on two separate gay marriage cases Wednesday is having implications everywhere — even on Sesame Street! The New Yorker revealed the cover for it’s next issue earlier today and it features muppets Bert and Ernie seemingly cuddling on the couch and watching coverage of the rulings on TV.
From The New Yorker:
“It’s amazing to witness how attitudes on gay rights have evolved in my lifetime,” said Jack Hunter, the artist behind next week’s cover, “Moment of Joy.” Hunter, who originally submitted his image, unsolicited, to a Tumblr, continued, “This is great for our kids, a moment we can all celebrate.”
It has been rumored (humorously) for decades that Bert and Ernie (two guys living in the same apartment for 30 years) are closeted homosexuals, an issue The Sesame Workshop finally addressed in August of 2011 after an online petition to allow the two to get married on the show began to go viral. Here is their statement at the time:
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 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.
There’s no reason we can’t have it both ways, right? Let’s just assume The New Yorker cover is depicting two muppets without sexual orientation living together and sharing an emotional moment as American history is made.
* Cue background music
Sunny Day
Sweepin’ the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street
Come and play
Everything’s A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That’s where we meet
Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Sesame Street
It’s a magic carpet ride
Every door will open wide
To Happy people like you–
Happy people like
What a beautiful
Sunny Day
Sweepin’ the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame street…
How to get to Sesame Street
How to get to…
