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6mo ago

Sesame Street Pride Month Post Draws ‘Grooming’ Allegations and Defund Efforts

Legal challenges to the funding freeze have followed GOP demands to defund PBS over the social media tribute.

PRODUCTION - 24 October 2022, Hamburg: The characters Ernie and Bert from Sesame Street, taken in a photo studio on the occasion of Sesame Street's 50th anniversary. In January 2023, the German Sesame Street celebrates its 50th anniversary. Photo: Daniel Reinhardt/dpa - ATTENTION: Only for editorial use in connection with reporting on the program "Sesame Street" and only with full mention of the above credit. Please note rights and licenses of trademark owners for uses beyond this. (Photo by Daniel Reinhardt/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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PBS' Sesame Street accused of 'grooming' children after Pride month post
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Overview

  • Sesame Street’s official X account posted an image of puppets holding hands in rainbow colors with a message welcoming every family on June 1.
  • The Republican Study Committee and lawmakers such as Rep. Mary Miller and Sen. Mike Lee accused PBS of “grooming” children and urged Congress to withdraw its funding.
  • The Pride message has amassed over 22 million views on X and reignited debates about LGBTQ+ representation in children’s programming.
  • PBS and NPR have filed First Amendment lawsuits challenging President Trump’s executive order to halt federal funding for public broadcasting.
  • Sesame Street has a history of LGBTQ+ inclusion, featuring a gay couple in 2021 and Pride Month collaborations with figures like Ariana DeBose.