Is there a Muppet with HIV/AIDS on Sesame Street?


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In 2002, Sesame Workshop announced that an HIV-positive character would be introduced to the cast of Takalani Sesame, the South African co-production of Sesame Streeet. This idea was considered crucial for the area where AIDS is an epidemic. The HIV-positive character, Kami, was designed to help the promote tolerance and reduce the stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS. Kami is a furry yellow five-year-old Muppet who contracted the disease as the result of a tainted blood transfusion she received as an infant.

However media reports at that time of Kami's introduction gave many the impression that this character was proposed for the American version of the program. Some conservatives vigorously opposed the idea. The Traditional Values Coalition stated: "The introduction of an HIV-infected Muppet on Sesame Street is problematic because HIV is spread primarily by homosexuals and bisexuals in the U.S. It is likely that an HIV-infected Muppet would be used to teach tolerance and acceptance of homosexuals to the preschool Sesame Street audience. In effect, this would be another propaganda tool to normalize homosexuality in our culture."

Republican congressmen Billy Tauzin, Chip Pickering, Fred Upton, Joe Barton, Richard Burr and Cliff Stearns cautioned PBS against introducing HIV-affected Muppets to American audiences, reminding PBS that Congress could withhold funding if such a character was introduced.