Christian commentator denounces Pride Month messaging to children on ‘Sesame Street’

The celebration of Pride Month and LGBTQ ideology on the popular children’s television show Sesame Street has been criticized by Christian commentator Jim Denison of the Denison Forum.

In an article titled Sesame Street Celebrates Pride Month Again, Denison said the annual June event promoting gay relationships has led the show’s producers to “once again [seek] to influence children with LGBTQ ideology.”

“This year, their characters form a rainbow as they clasp each other’s hands beside the post, ‘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!’” wrote Denison. 

He said the message had been worded in such a manner as to make any objections “feel irrational or even hateful.”

“And LGBTQ advocates are quick to disparage anyone who disagrees with it,” he added. “There will be parades and rainbow flags across the month; corporate and sports logos will display rainbows as well. We must breathe out to breathe in.”

The Christian commentator acknowledged the easier route is to “try and ignore all of this” but he felt it wrong not to speak truth to an ongoing cultural issue, which is morally wrong. 

“Those of us who believe in biblical sexual morality can shrug our shoulders and wait for the month to be over,” wrote Denison. “I would certainly rather do that than respond to this subject again today. I have gay and lesbian friends and do not wish them harm. I believe heterosexual sexual immorality is just as sinful as homosexual sexual immorality.

“But not to speak biblical truth to such a pervasive cultural issue feels wrong as well. All people, whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity, deserve to know what God says about the issues we face. We need to counter the secularizing influence of the broken culture with our children and grandchildren as well. The more people reject God’s word, the more they need God’s word.”

Denison referenced Jesus’ talking in Matthew 5:15 about the light of God needing to be displayed for all: Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

“If we keep our salt in the saltshaker and our light under a basket, those who need biblical truth won’t hear it,” he added. “Those who need the compassion of Christ will not feel it.”

For Denison, the need to relate gospel truths about sexual identity and relationships relates to the freedom of the gospel meant not just for ourselves but others.  

“There’s more to the story,” he added. “You and I experience the abundant life of Jesus to the degree that we share that life with others (John 10:10). We must breathe out to breathe in. We cannot love our Father without loving our neighbor.”

Warning against Satan’s tactic of keeping Christians in “partial obedience,” Denison said that evangelicals must meet the needs of the current day as a manifestation of God’s presence, in the same way that Jesus met the needs of his own day. 

“If we will not share his love with our world, we will not fully experience his love,” he added.