For more than 40 years, the beloved puppets Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street have lived together, thus sparking interest in a civil union between the pair.
Campaigners say they should marry in an attempt to influence the tolerance of gay people.
Almost 7,000 people have signed the online petition, with over 6,000 jumping on the 'Bert and Ernie Get Married' Facebook page
Comments on the online petition include: "We are not asking that Sesame Street do anything crude or disrespectful," adding, "It can be done in a tasteful way. Let us teach tolerance of those that are different."
The makers of Sesame Street have commented that "They remain puppets and do not have a sexual orientation."
"Bert and Ernie are best friends," the Sesame Workshop added. "They were created to teach pre-schoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves."
The American children's television series was created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett. The program is known for its combination of Jim Henson's Muppets, animation, short films, humour and cultural references.
News article written by Sarah Richardson
