“Sesame Street” stirred a heated cultural debate this week after posting a message in celebration of LGBT Pride Month on its official X account, drawing both praise and widespread backlash across social media.

According to the Christian Post, the June 1 post ignited criticism from conservative commentators and online users who accused the long-running children’s program of promoting ideology to a young audience.

On Sunday, the official account for the PBS series shared a message that read, “On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, let’s build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy #PrideMonth!”

The post was accompanied by an image of colorful puppet arms interlocked in a display of solidarity, forming a rainbow pattern — a common symbol of LGBTQ pride and inclusion.

By the following day, the post had garnered over 14 million views, indicating the widespread reach of the message. Supporters praised the inclusivity, while critics quickly pushed back.

Backlash Echoes Previous Year’s Controversy

Conservative voices on X, formerly known as Twitter, called out the show for what they viewed as “indoctrination.” Some users argued that the Pride post crossed a line by introducing sexual identity themes to content aimed at young children.

A similar reaction occurred in June 2024, when the program made a nearly identical Pride Month post. That incident also fueled backlash among conservative circles, many of which accused the show of pushing cultural agendas.

This year’s backlash included a series of memes referencing Matthew 18:6, a Bible verse often interpreted by critics to caution against misleading or harming children. Several of these posts included violent imagery symbolizing that warning.

Public Figures Weigh in With Sharp Criticism

Among those criticizing the show was Wade Miller, executive director of Citizens for Renewing America. He posted, “I grew up with Sesame Street. I won’t let my kids watch it because of all the woke nonsense you push.”

James White, a prominent pastor and theologian, expressed similar frustrations, saying his grandchildren would never watch the program. He stated, “I would say 'shame on you' for grooming children, but that would assume you have a worldview that would even understand the natural and proper place of 'shame.’”

William Wolfe, a Christian writer and executive director for a Baptist leadership organization, criticized the show in a short post: “Sesame Street was brought to you today by the letter 'G' for Groomer.”

Broader Concerns About Educational Programming

Brady Gray, president of the Texas Family Project, also commented, saying he was glad his children have never watched "this trash," referring to a show he believes promotes “immoral” lifestyles to young viewers.

The conservative account “Libs of TikTok” circulated excerpts from past episodes and other Pride-related content produced by “Sesame Street,” using it as proof that the show was, in their view, contributing to political or cultural grooming.

Past criticism aimed at “Sesame Street” has included responses to episodes supporting the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, featuring drag queen appearances, and messages supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

Funding and Legal Disputes Add to Tensions

The controversy surrounding the children's show comes amid broader political battles over public broadcasting. On May 1, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order cutting off federal funding to public outlets such as PBS and NPR.

The administration cited what it called longstanding media bias, including the role of children’s programming in promoting ideological messages. PBS responded by filing a lawsuit on Friday against the Trump administration, challenging the legality of the funding cutoff.

According to a recent report by Politico, federal funding makes up approximately 16% of PBS’s total budget, making the financial stakes significant for the future of programs like “Sesame Street.”

Debate Over Cultural Messaging Likely to Continue

The disputes over “Sesame Street” reflect a deeper national debate over the boundaries of inclusive messaging in public education and media targeted at children. For many, the Pride Month post is seen as affirming and welcoming.

For others, including many in conservative and religious communities, the message is interpreted as evidence of political ideology entering spaces meant solely for childhood education and entertainment.

As public dialogue intensifies, it remains unclear whether “Sesame Street” or other publicly funded programs will alter their approach or continue sharing supportive messages despite the ongoing cultural divide.