Posted: Wednesday 14 September 2011
Bert and Ernie …still in the closet
I noticed a story on the BBC website recently, confirming that Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie “will not marry”. The makers of Sesame Street had apparently responded to a petition which called for the puppets to marry in a same-sex ceremony. For those who are not avid fans of the children’s programme, Bert and Ernie are male characters who live together and sleep in separate beds in the same room.
Much as it might have been nice to see Bert make an honest man of Ernie (and vice versa) with Big Bird as best man, I don’t see why they shouldn’t be allowed to remain platonic friends.
The topic of same-sex unions has been a political hot potato in Scotland recently, though. If Bert and Ernie did wish to enter into a union in Scotland (stranger things have happened), then their only option at present would be to have a civil partnership. However, the Scottish Government has launched a consultation on “the possibility of allowing religious ceremonies for civil partnerships and the possible introduction of same sex marriage”.
Perhaps inevitably, this consultation has sparked debate among political parties and religious leaders. The Scotsman reports of disagreements within the Scottish National Party on the matter, and the BBC reports on the Catholic Church’s supposed “anti-gay marriage stance” in calling this cultural vandalism.
The uptake on civil partnership ceremonies has been low . Is it really thought that is because marriage is the preferred alternative?
Whatever your views, it is difficult to argue against the launch of a consultation where everyone is entitled to make themselves heard. It will be interesting to see the outcome.
The closing date for responses is 9 December 2011. To view the consultation paper, click here.
