Screw that, why is a frog having sex with a pig? Now that's f*cked up.

The Muppets aren’t sexual; they just want to be felt...

Two parents create a child. The child grows up to be gay. Are they not gay if the parents simply say the child isn't? To that point, if two parents decide they want their kid to be gay, does wishing it make it so?

So this analogy doesn't exactly work -- Saltzman isn't Bert or Ernie, and being gay isn't a choice nor is it impressed upon you -- but even though he's not the creator of those characters, he's someone who had direct and meaningful input into their development. And collaborators are gonna have their own opinions about the characters they help develop, so the thoughts that go into it can't just be dismissed because they don't jive with the folks who created the character in the first place.

So while I believe Frank Oz and Jim Henson didn't create Bert and Ernie as gay, to point to that and say that that's why they could never become gay vis a vis additional creative development by Saltzman ignores denies Saltzman's contributions to the characters, IMHO.

Is Katie Herzog like this when she's not writing?

I’m with Michael on this one - regardless of whether they are gay, asexual or just friends, treating them like they are gay couple when talking with your kids seems like an excellent way to address and normalize gay relationships at an early age. Yep, they’re a couple, just like your parents, NBD. Planting the idea that same sex relationships are perfectly normal seems like an entirely positive message.

@8 Exactly! Then you can work your way up to normalizing frogs and pigs having sex.

Christ can we maybe establish a hall of shame to keep track of some of the more egregious members of the Twitter outrage mob? Say it Frank: you hate the gays!

Ostracize these motherfuckers.

Are Miss Piggy and Kermit actually in a relationship?

I mean, I haven't watched any muppets since I was a child, but I seem to remember Kermit not being into it at all, and Miss Piggy not taking no for an answer.

I don't recall them humping at all.

These guys were the real-life Bert & Ernie, despite what anyone else says.

https://shutuplittleman.com

Who cares? What I want to know is how much Hal Sparks' agent makes because that person deserves every penny. I mean, really, he was able to go from Michael on "Queer as Folk" to the Dad on a Disney XD show.

Anyone who gets worked up about the sexuality of puppets that never deal with sex has more complicated problems.

"Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog are heterosexual, but Katie Herzog and Frank Oz don't have a problem with that."

No doubt. Time to normalize inter-species sex!

I firmly believe that Bert and Ernie killed Mr. Hooper. It was most likely a drug deal gone bad.

...

@8 - "treating them like they are gay couple when talking with your kids seems like an excellent way to address and normalize gay relationships at an early age."

Ok. And how about just normalizing close friendships and physical affection between ANY men, regardless of sexual orientation. Stating (to a kid) that B&E are gay then places male-male affection withn the realm of gay sexuality. And THAT is something we need to deal with and expand. Affection between any humans is not limited to sexual attraction: Friendships, allies, compadres, platonic relationships, etc. etc. ETC. ....All can have physical and affectionate components.
Why limit that? Why keep bi- kids in the closet? Why keep straight kids who are naturally affectionate in the closet?

Heterosexual men in this here culture are starved for affection, and are so amazingly messed up in the head about merely touching another man -- because it "makes them gay" -- let alone expressing themselves.

Let's not reinforce that limited cultural notion.

So telling a kid B&E are gay will result in some real confusion and complicated interactions as they grow up and assert "Well, B&E are gay..." because that's what they were told, while all the other kids go "NO THEY'RE NOT!" and tease them to tears, and reinforce terrible male-male relations.

Besides, everyone knows that Statler & Waldorf were gay.

@20:

I'm pretty sure The Muppets thoroughly covered that territory with Gonzo - although I don't think anyone knows exactly what species he actually is...

All of this is making me realize that Elmo was the only Muppet who set a good example. Bert and Ernie were always fighting, Oscar never saw the good in anything, the Swedish Chef never washed a dish, Miss Piggy doesn't understand consent.

Elmo sang songs and was nice to everyone. Elmo's my dude. Well, to be fair, now I can't think of any major character flaws in Big Bird or Snufflupogus (sp?), either. But, still, #teamelmo

@12 Twitter lets me call the Trumptard-In-Chief a fuck-planking, 'shroom-dicked, racist, collud-o-traitor. That's pretty much all it's good for.

@26. Will Elmo hold your hand at the Gate of Eternal Night? Because Big Bird will.

@26. Proof

https://scott-lynch.livejournal.com/269876.html

@29 Whoa! Ok, you convinced me. #teambigbirdforlife

Also, all of that just caused me to visualize a bizarre yet fantastic music video of Death Cab for Cutie's "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" featuring Big Bird.

@23: This is an excellent point, and everyone should read this comment.

Is Ms Herzog seriously playing the Lesbians-Can't-Be-Homophobic Card?

In terms of current dictionary definitions, perhaps. But this just shows again why we Gs need a phobia ALL OUR OWN. I thank Ms H for that, though she seems pretty clearly anti-gay to me.