Action Alert – Tell Sesame Street Not to Invite “Transgender Male” on the Program

AFA of PA ACTION ALERT

January 30, 2020

Issue

Tell Sesame Street Not to Invite “Transgender Male” on the Program

Details

It has been determined that Bert and Ernie are not “gay.”  In September 2018, Sesame Street Workshop and Muppet creator Frank Oz swiftly denied that Bert and Ernie are “gay.”

“I created Bert. I know what and who he is,” tweeted Oz the actor and puppeteer who, along with the late Jim Henson, co-created many Muppet characters, and who played Bert to Henson’s Ernie.

Now Sesame Street has announced via a January 30^th Facebook post that Billy Porter will appear on the program during their 51^st season.  “Billy Porter bringing those fierce vibes to Sesame Street #Season 51.”

Just who is Billy Porter ?  He was born in Pittsburgh in 1969 and identifies as a “transgender male.”  Since 2017, he has been “married” to businessman Adam Smith, owner of “Native Ken.”   

So, what message is Sesame Street trying to send?

Action Steps You can contact Sesame Street via Facebook and ask them to rescind their invitation to Billy Porter.  This is not child-friendly programming and will cause confusion within the children.   

Contact Sesame Workshop, formerly Children’s Television Workshop.  This is the non-profit that is responsible for the production of Sesame Street.  You can contact Steve Youngwood, President, Media and Education and Chief Operating Officer,  here