The creators of "Sesame Street" say Bert and Ernie, the classic Muppets who fought over the popular children's TV show, are not gay.

The statement was made Tuesday after former Sesame Street writer Mark Saltzman gave an interview to LGBT Queerty online magazine Sunday, saying the characters were gay.

"I always thought that without a big program, when I was writing Bert & Ernie, they were, I had no other way of contextualizing them," Saltzman said. "I do not think I'm able to write otherwise, but as a loving couple."

"Sesame Street" denies the claim, however, saying that the characters are simply "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 features (like most Muppets Sesame Street) puppets, and do not have sexual orientation. "

The news has also made waves on social media, with many critics against "Sesame Street" for its anti-gay appearance.

"I am really disappointed at the sesame workshop … a gay man talked about his own experiences with writing the series and how he and his partner have identified him with bert and ernie … and they must stomp all that, "a user tweeted.

"Would it be so bad if they were supposed to be gay even if they are puppets / muppets?" another tweet. "Today, many kids are VERY young when they are LGTBQA and if the characters of #SesameStreet helped them, I do not think it would be a bad thing."

Other comments have been a bit more political.

"So Republicans are worried that the gay puppets Bert and Ernie are bad models but totally cool with the treason puppet of the White House," tweeted a person.

"The former Sesame Street editor says that Bert and Ernie are homosexuals, right-wingers are panicking about the bad example that is supposed to prepare the kids while allowing the worst model to sit in the oval office."

And others have argued that it should not matter whether they are homosexual or not.

Frank Oz, an actor and puppeteer who played Bert, sided with "Sesame Street" on the controversy but added that it should not matter.

"It seems like we've asked Mark Saltzman if Bert and Ernie were homosexuals, it's good that he feels what they are." They are not, of course, but why is this question "really important, gay?" he tweeted. "There is much more to a human being than straightness or cheerfulness."

"Let Bert and Ernie be gay, straight, bisexual, asexual or otherwise," said a user. "As long as they continue to make us laugh and teach us to love our friends, no matter how different they are, that's all that matters to me."

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