We all did it. As a kid, watching “Sesame Street” before school was an essential part of our daily morning lineup. Unfortunately, it seems that our favorite lovable friends taught us a little more than just the alphabet.

Homosexuality has been attributed to both genetics and environmental factors. It also can be pinpointed to the Children’s Television Workshop.

First, the “Bert and Ernie” theory. Unsuspecting mothers would allow their children to watch “Sesame Street” for educational purposes. The show undeniably provided these kids with basic moral and academic knowledge. It was when the show shifted to a scene of a bedroom shared by Bert and Ernie that things got a little too liberal.

Children would eat their oatmeal and stare at the television set as these two single male puppets lavishly portrayed the fact that they lived together – and liked it. The producers of “Sesame Street” carefully placed Bert and Ernie in separate beds, yet this strategic maneuver has been debunked by the “Cookie Crumb” theory.

For example, Bert would become enraged when Ernie ate cookies in bed. Why would cookie crumbs in Ernie’s bed concern Bert? The answer is simple: Bert planned on sharing that bed with Ernie.

What Bert and Ernie took part in decades ago is what’s now known as a “civil union,” which is a quality alternative to bastardizing the concept of marriage. Whether intentionally or not, the Children’s Television Workshop introduced homosexuality to young children amid the letter “P” and sponsorship by the number seven.

The Rev. Joseph Chambers thinks the homosexual nature of Bert and Ernie is pretty obvious.

“They’re two grown men sharing a house and a bedroom. They share clothes. They eat and cook together. They vacation together, and they have effeminate characteristics,” Chambers said. “In one show, Bert teaches Ernie how to sew. In another, they tend plants together. If this isn’t meant to represent a homosexual union, I can’t imagine what it’s supposed to represent.”

Carol Miller of the Children’s Television Workshop said she believes these homosexual allegations to be entirely false.

“Bert and Ernie have no sexual orientation. They’re clothed puppets, for Pete’s sake! Next I’ll hear the Cookie Monster needs to enroll in a 12-step program to overcome his cookie addiction,” she said.

Regardless of whether the Children’s Television Workshop admits it, Bert and Ernie taught children that it’s OK to be gay.

But the “Sesame Street” producers didn’t stop there. Planetout.com has documented the show’s decision to introduce an HIV-positive puppet on the South African version of the program. The purpose was to teach children about the HIV disease and that its carriers are not outcasts to society.

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, who notoriously tried to extinguish alleged homosexual Teletubby Tinky Winky, has said the HIV-positive character would have a positive effect as long as there is no discussion of its sexuality.

The bottom line is this: Even though homosexuality is an immoral act, it still exists and should be treated with extreme sensitivity. Parents should inform their children about the homosexual lifestyle; these children shouldn’t be exposed to it for the first time from some orange creature with a rubber-ducky fetish.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.