In a statement posted to their Facebook Page, Sesame Workshop responded to a petition created by Illinois resident Lair Scott calling for Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie to be married on the children’s program. In short, the response is that marriage is not an option as the characters are puppets and “do not have a sexual orientation.”

Yesterday, The Washington Post reported on the petition, speculating that of the numerous attempts to define Bert and Ernie’s relationship, this one could succeed. The petition highlighted the positive effect a marriage between Bert and Ernie could have on bullying and suicides of LGBT youth.

The full statement from the Sesame Workshop:

Bert and Ernie are best friends. They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves. Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics (as most Sesame Street Muppets™ do), they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation.