'Sesame Street' has been spreading love and acceptance by celebrating Pride all month long

'Sesame Street' has been celebrating Pride all month long and it's absolutely heartwarming. The long-running children’s show is standing up for ALL kids as they show their support for the queer community. The PBS children’s show has always been known to teach love and inclusion throughout its half-century of broadcasting. "Helping kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder," it says on its website. Beloved puppet characters are coming together this month to celebrate diversity. 

Sticking to its motto, 'Sesame Street' shared a video featuring actress Ariana DeBose and Elmo wishing fans a happy Pride Month. "Elmo and I wanted to share that everyone is always welcome on Sesame Street. This month and every month we wanna uplift and celebrate our LGBTQIA+ family, friends and communities," DeBose said in the short clip, with Elmo adding, "Happy Pride! Elmo loves you!" The video was shared alongside a caption that said, "Everyone is always welcome on Sesame Street. Let's celebrate LGBTQIA+ people in our communities this Pride and every day! Happy [Pride Month]."

They also posted an inclusive message on Twitter on June 2 tweeting: "This #PrideMonth, let's celebrate diversity and unity and spread love and acceptance. Together, we can make the world a kinder place for all."

On June 12, they wished a happy Pride Month to everyone celebrating this month alongside a photo of the pride flag with some smiling flowers in the background. "On our Street, we celebrate inclusion, belonging and freedom of authentic self-expression. Happy #PrideMonth to all the people in our neighborhoods!" the message read.

While their messages did receive hate from some, the queer community and its allies sent out positive messages in response to the posts by 'Sesame Street.' @JeremiahLiles1 said, "Prejudice, discrimination, bigotry, intolerance and hate of any kind have no place on 'Sesame Street' or any street. For over 50 years, 'Sesame Street' has been and always will be the kindest place where monsters, birds, fairies and people of all kinds are welcome."

@NeuroCandies wrote, 'What #Pride means to me is acceptance, diversity, inclusion and love. It's about understanding that 'normal' is entirely a social construct, and the true kaleidoscope of what it means to be human is practically undefinable. Not a single pair of human lives will ever be identical." @thatguynamedben tweeted, "Thank you for not backing down with your support I’m so happy to have grown up with 'Sesame Street' and so proud to see you proving that hate will never overcome love."

According to Pink News, Sesame Street has not backed down in the face of backlash and has been a staunch ally in its support and recognition of LGBTQ+ identities in recent years. It has featured children with same-sex parents and has discussed LBGTQ+ families in episodes. Just a couple of years ago, during Pride month in 2021, it introduced its first openly queer parents: same-sex couple Frank and Dave, and their daughter Mia. Frank and Dave, played by Alex Weisman and Chris Costa, and daughter Mia, played by Olivia Perez, were introduced during an episode titled "Family Day." Many have praised the show for embracing inclusivity and standing up against hate no matter how difficult it may seem.