Sesame Street, the iconic children's program, is facing significant online backlash after posting a Pride Month message celebrating love, inclusivity, and respect.
The June 1 post featured colorful puppet arms linked together, symbolizing unity and support for the LGBTQ+ community, and included the caption: “On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, let’s build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected.”
On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, let’s build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy #PrideMonth! pic.twitter.com/6JJFhxO9dC
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) June 1, 2025
The annual message was meant to show support for Pride Month, but it quickly drew criticism from some conservative social media users. Critics flooded the replies with accusations of “grooming,” calls to “leave the kids alone,” and questions like, “When is straight month?”
THIS IS GROOMING.
— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) June 1, 2025
THIS IS CRIMINAL.
THIS IS PERVERSION. https://t.co/VFMtIirI0P
Kids aren’t gay. Kids aren’t sexual. This is disgusting indoctrination and Sesame Street staff/PR deserves all the backlash they get for it.
— Smash JT (@SmashJT) June 1, 2025
Gross. pic.twitter.com/V9RkU3c6g2
How to report this post: https://t.co/NBcTyHBpok pic.twitter.com/G4hLt57JIX
— Serah Oceane (@SerahOceane) June 1, 2025
Two years ago this month I got blocked by @sesamestreet pic.twitter.com/MZplFDLUHy
— Five Times August (@FiveTimesAugust) June 1, 2025
Nothing to see here: just a publicly funded puppet show promoting weird sex stuff to your three-year-old. https://t.co/YPHW7eQToJ
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) June 1, 2025
Despite the backlash, many users defended the post, applauding Sesame Street for continuing to promote empathy and diversity. Supporters noted that the show has long championed inclusion and acceptance, pointing to characters like Bert and Ernie and decades of inclusive messaging.
One user wrote, “Shoutout to Sesame Street for raising me to be empathetic and caring towards everyone.” Others praised the show for remaining consistent in its values, despite knowing the negative reactions it often receives.
Oh they’re mad in the comments
— ✮ riot ✮ 🏳️🌈 (@rrriot_kitty) June 1, 2025
Trump fucked up pissing Sesame Street off
Btw, these were the first gay icons I ever met, idk what these conservatives are mad about. #Pride2025 #GayIconsBertAndErnie #PrideMonth https://t.co/tJkVKpu0dm pic.twitter.com/aVpqytytAB
The controversy highlights the ongoing cultural divide over LGBTQ+ representation in children’s media. While Sesame Street remains firm in its stance, the polarized responses underscore how even simple messages of kindness and inclusion can ignite heated public discourse in 2025.
Sesame Street has not responded directly to the backlash but continues to stand by its message of welcoming all families and promoting love and respect for everyone.
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