Sesame Street Celebrates Pride Month Amid Backlash

Sesame Street has once again publicly celebrated Pride Month by sharing messages of inclusivity and support for the LGBTQIA+ community, including a graphic of puppets forming a rainbow and statements emphasizing that everyone and every family is welcome. This annual celebration includes segments featuring diverse family structures, such as a girl with her two fathers, and appearances by queer celebrities like Ariana DeBose, reinforcing the show's ongoing promotion of LGBTQ identities since at least 2019. However, these efforts have drawn significant backlash from conservative and religious groups who argue that Sesame Street is pushing an inappropriate agenda onto young children, accusing the program of moral corruption and grooming. These critics maintain that Sesame Street should focus solely on children's content without engaging in cultural or sexual identity topics. The controversy is heightened amid the Trump administration’s attempts to cut funding for PBS, the network that airs Sesame Street, leading to legal challenges from PBS and NPR. Meanwhile, broader Pride Month celebrations continue across communities with inclusive events supporting LGBTQ+ individuals of all ages.