Sesame Workshop recently released a statement responding to a change.org petition to allow Bert and Ernie to get married in which they said, "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."

Despite this, there are Sesame Street Muppets™ who do, in fact, have significant others (Oscar the Grouch has Grundgetta, Forgetful Jones has Clementine, and Count von Count has been linked to several women during his tenure on the show). If Sesame Workshop is truly committed to the idea that puppets do not have a sexual orientation, they should make it a policy across the board. None of the puppets should have romantic relationships on the show.