Life

23 LGBTQ+ celebrities who found their way onto “Sesame Street”

Forget Bert and Ernie — the queerest characters on Sesame Street are the humans!
By · Updated on May 15, 2024
LGBTQ celebrities on Sesame Street, Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae on Sesame Street Photo: YouTube screenshot

Fans of the long-running children’s educational TV show Sesame Street have often wondered whether the show’s roommate couple, Bert and Ernie, are gay. But perhaps they’ve overlooked the queerest thing about the show: the many LGBTQ+ celebrity guest stars.

Sesame Street has demonstrated LGBTQ+ inclusion over the years: a gay man helped develop some of the show’s most beloved muppets, the show introduced a married gay couple with a daughter, and also celebrated Pride month 2023 on social media. But let’s take a look at the queer guest stars and their lessons about life and learning.

Related:

Sesame Street has been celebrating Pride all month long & it is adorable

Sesame Street is standing up for all kids. In response, the LGBTQ community has responded with love for the show and gratitude for the support.

Brandi Carlile

In 2024, the lesbian singer-songwriter sang about nature with Big Bird and Snuffleupagus. “It’s in my nature to love nature, naturally,” she sang amid backdrops of forests, hillsides, beaches, and deserts.

Tracy Chapman

In 1998, the queer Black musician told a small group of furry monsters that “learning stuff ain’t so tough” just as long as someone starts asking questions about the world around them.

Margaret Cho

In 2000, the bisexual comedian expressed happiness, sadness, excitement, and anger while talking animatedly with Big Bird about emotions. Cho also did a second segment in which she and a muppet named Prairie Dawn pulled different letters of the alphabet out of their backpacks while having some “girl talk.”

Anderson Cooper

In 2007, the gay CNN journalist did on-the-ground reporting for GNN (the Garbage News Network), asking his two grouchy co-anchors whether or not the letter G is grouchy.

Alan Cumming

In 2016, the bisexual Irish actor played Mucko Polo the Grouch Explorer, a garbage-monster seeking adventurer based on real-life 13th-century Italian explorer Marco Polo. As Mucko, he sang about how one can find interesting treasures and places just by looking around their own neighborhood. A longer segment with Mucko Polo had him exploring more of the street with Oscar the Grouch.

Billy Eichner

In 2017, the gay comedian and actor did a parody of his “Billy on the Street” in-person interview series by asking various Sesame Street residents about kindness and compassion.

Billie Eilish

In 2021, the out musician sang with the Count about how she loves counting to the number “2” with a friend like him.

Melissa Etheridge

In 1996, the lesbian rocker played guitar and sang a parody of her song “Like the Way I Do” entitled “Like the Way U Does.” There’s just something about the letter U’s unique shape that she really loves.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Around 2011, the gay actor used his grandmother’s cookie jar to teach viewers about the word “fragile.” Sadly for him, Cookie Monster also showed up, and he isn’t always super cautious when it comes to gobbling down cookies.

Tim Gunn

Tim Gunn, LGBTQ celebrities on Sesame Street
Tim Gunn on Sesame Street

In 2013, the asexual fashion expert and Project Runway judge played the role of William “Bill” Ding and judged the Three Little Pigs’ houses to determine which should win Best Home of the Year. Of course, the Big Bad Wolf showed up to offer his opinion as well.

Queen Latifah

In 1992, the queer rapper and actress sang a parody of her hip-hop song “That’s the Way We Flow,” except about the letter O. When Telly the Monster loses his letter O, the rapper and her pals help him find it hiding in all sorts of words.

Ian McKellen

In 2014, the gay actor made a Lord of the Rings reference while talking to Cookie Monster about what the word “resist” means. Of course, Cookie Monster can hardly resist himself when cookies are around….

Janelle Monae

Around 2014, the nonbinary pansexual Afrofuturist musician sang an upbeat song about the “Power of Yet,” a word that suggests that one’s skills and talents can always improve.

Rosie O’Donnell

In 1994, the lesbian comedian appeared in several segments, rapping the alphabet and “1-2 Buckle My Shoe” with Elmo, and showing Oscar the Grouch how well she can read after ignoring a sign instructing people not to bother his trashcan. In 1997, she returned as Oscar’s Fairy Grouchmother and granted his wish to have his trashcan overflowing with garbage, even though his pets and neighbors didn’t appreciate it.

Zachary Quinto

Around 2015, the gay actor and Grover taught kids about the word “flexible.” Not only does the word apply to minds, plans, and opinions, but — as they both demonstrate — it can also apply to someone’s legs.

Michael Stipe

Around 1998, the gay R.E.M. frontman and his band members taught muppets about emotions by performing “Happy Furry Monsters,” a parody of their 1991 song “Shiny Happy People.” A muppet version of The B-52s singer Kate Pierson also joined the fun.

Wanda Sykes

In 2010, the lesbian comedienne taught Elmo all about journals — including her personal journal containing all her secrets. Sykes certainly didn’t expect her journal to come to life and start sharing her embarrassing habits. In another segment, she played a version of “Simon Says” with Elmo.

BD Wong

BD Wong on Sesame Street
BD Wong on Sesame Street

In several 1993 episodes, the gay actor played Dr. Sing and used music to teach various monsters and muppets about how doctors can help heal broken arms and other conditions.

The rainbow shines on Sesame Street

The LGBTQ+ guest stars on Sesame Street don’t just teach kids about life and language, they also challenge stereotypes by showing kids that people come in all different forms, and that it’s okay to be who you are. By promoting inclusivity and making friends with others unlike themselves, these stars have worked with Sesame Street to create a more accepting society for humans and muppets alike.

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