From Ernie and Bert to SpongeBob, here are five characters from children’s television that we’re pretty darn sure are LGBT. That’s our story and we’re sticking to it!

1. Ernie and Bert

The makers of Sesame Street may claim that ‘housemates’ Ernie and Bert are just “good friends”, but we beg to differ. Largely based on Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple, Ernie is a messy butch goofball while Bert is a prissy, camp clean-freak. The two share a bedroom and although they are always at odds with each other, the chemistry suggests they’re very definitely in love. In 2011 a petition for the Ernie and Bert to get married gained traction in the US, with thousands of sigantories saying it would give a strong message of inclusion to children.

2. SpongeBob SquarePants

In 2002, Stephen Hillenburg countered rumors that his creation SpongeBob SquarePants is gay, saying the character is “somewhat asexual”. But the questions persist.  There is undeniable erotic chemistry between SpongeBob and his best friend, a pink starfish called Patrick, and the two occasionally hold hands while watching a TV show called ‘The Adventures of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy‘.  Patrick has been known to exclaim, “Let’s get naked!” to SpongeBob, and once did get naked, flying through the air with a flag saying ‘Spongebob’ flying from his ass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaTXQzBFM1A

3. SheZow

This cartoon, soon to premiere on Sky One, features 12-year-old boy called Guy who uses a magic ring from his dead aunt and the phrase “You go girl!” to transform into a crime-fighting female superhero named SheZow. The show’s creator Obie Scott Wade says: ” While the character of Guy does learn many things about himself by becoming SheZow, the main focus is on responsibility and less on gender.” We disagree. In turning from a boy into a girl, Guy finds his true power, and that folks is a transgender character, no matter what anyone says.

4. Princess Elsa

Elsa was born with a difference she didn’t think twice about until her parents told her that it was something to be ashamed of. They insisted she never let anyone know about the way she was born – in other words, stay in the closet. In the song ‘Let it Go’ she sings I “couldn’t keep it in; heaven knows I tried”, and she finds her happy ending through self-acceptance and letting love in. Society comes to understand her love and accept her too. Disney’s Frozen is essentially a lesbian coming out story, featuring a Princess who doesn’t have a male romantic interest. Pity there wasn’t a girl, other than Elsa’s sister, for her to love.

5. Kermit The Frog

Recent Muppet movies want us to believe that Kermit and Miss Piggy are a heterosexual couple, but in truth everyone’s favorite amphibian has been rejecting erotic attentions of the lady pig since The Muppet Show first appeared on TV screens in 1976. In his character song, ‘It’s Not Easy Being Green’, Kermy wrestles with his identity and finds Green Pride: “I am green and it’ll do fine, it’s beautiful, and I think it’s what I want to be.” His other big song? ‘The Rainbow Connection’. You do the math.