Bert and Ernie petition on Change.org sparks discussion about LGBT representation in media

by Joe Mirabella · 2011-08-12 11:13:00 UTC
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More than 7,000 people have signed Illinois-resident Lair Scott’s Change.org petition calling on Sesame Street to marry Bert and Ernie.

“I started this Change.org petition because I believe we need more media representation of gay and lesbian people in children’s programming,” said Scott. “There are currently no LGBT characters on Sesame Street, nor in any children’s television program.”

Scott sees the campaign as about more than just LGBT characters as individuals, but as family units. According to 2010 U.S. Census data, it is estimated that one quarter of all same gender couples are raising children, and same gender couples are raising children in 96% of the counties in the United States.

“Thousands of kids are growing up in homes with two moms and two dads,” he said. “They need to see families like their own on television.”

The petition author also hopes that more media representation of LGBT families will reduce bullying and teen suicide.

“If kids learn at a young age that there are gay people, they won’t have to feel alone if they discover they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender,” Scott said. “My petition is about saving lives.”

“I do not expect Sesame Street to actually marry Bert and Ernie, but I am glad that my petition is inspiring a broader discussion about how vital it is for children to see themselves and their families represented in media programming,” he added.

Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change — growing by more than 400,000 new members a month.

Change.org is a platform where anyone, anywhere, can start, join, and win campaigns for social change. While we take no position on the content of the petition, Lair Scott’s campaign asking Sesame Street to marry Bert and Ernie is a great example of passionate people using our platform to bring attention to issues important to them. Clearly, LGBT representation in children’s programming is an important discussion.

Lair Scott’s Change.org petition asking Sesame Street to marry Bert and Ernie:
http://www.change.org/petitions/let-bert-ernie-get-married-on-sesame-street

Lair Scott’s petition asking Sesame Street to out Bert and Ernie:
http://www.change.org/petitions/sesame-street-out-bert-and-ernie-as-gay

Photo via Wikipedia

Joe Mirabella is a Change.org Organizing Manager for LGBT rights.

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