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Frank Oz is the voice of dozens of puppets and muppets as one of Jim Henson's earliest collaborators. The legendary puppeteer is now lending his voice to the debate about the gay character of Sesame Street characters.
"I created Bert, I know what and who he is" Oz wrote, overwhelming the idea that Bert and Ernie were a couple.
The decades-old discussion about the relational status of Bert and Ernie raged on Twitter after former "Sesame Street" writer Mark Saltzman told the "Queerty" blog that he was forming a couple based on his real relationship with Arnold Glassman.
"It seems like we've asked Mr. Mark Saltzman if Bert and Ernie were homosexuals – it's fine that he feels they're not, of course," Oz wrote in. a statement. tweet. "But why is this question really important, why is the need to define people as only homosexual?" There is much more to a human being than mere straightness or cheerfulness. "
Oz continued to go back and forth with people who responded to his tweet and asked why colorful puppets could not be gay.
"When a character is created to be strange, it is indeed important that the character be known as such.It is also important that a character who was not created queer be accepted as such." oz wrote.
A statement from Sesame Workshop, which produces "Sesame Street", first stated that the two men had no sexual orientation and that they were simply "best friends".
The statement echoed a 7-year-old statement issued after a petition asking Bert and Ernie to get married on the show, earning nearly 11,000 signatures.
But Tuesday night, Sesame Workshop has updated its statement to say that the show had always favored inclusion.
"Sesame Street has always been synonymous with inclusion and acceptance, a place where people of all cultures and backgrounds are welcome, Bert and Ernie were created to be better friends and to teach. to young people of their own, "said the workshop in a statement sent to NBC News.
Oz kept taking Twitter, telling his followers that he thought he could not call Bert and Ernie gay because in his mind that was not honest.
When asked why he felt the need to identify the puppets as "non-gay," Oz replied, "I would feel the same need if Bert were identified as a linebacker for the Colts. Is not honest. "
He also wrote that he was happy that people – regardless of their sexual orientation – could see themselves in colorful characters.
"What matters is that if people see positive views about themselves and others in B & E," Oz wrote.
Finally, Oz decided to withdraw from the debate on Twitter, thanking his supporters for engaging in the discussion with him.
"I've been tweeting waaaaaaaaay too long but it was fine and I've learned something deep Thank you for those who have tweeted with me.The next time I would be very interested to know: if Bert and Ernie were really gay, would they be different now? " oz wrote.
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