Marriage for 'Sesame Street' pals Bert and Ernie?

Bert and Ernie have been Sesame Street pals for a long time.

Just how close are they? It's been the subject of debate for decades. But now, because gay marriage is legal in New York, an online petition urging that the two muppets take their relationship to the next level and tie the knot, is gaining some steam.

Chicago resident Lair Scott started the petition at Change.org. "We are not asking Sesame Street to do anything crude or disrespectful," he tells ABC News. "It can be done in a tasteful way. Let us teach tolerance of those that are different."

In response, a petition to stop Bert and Ernie from getting married has popped up on the same site.

But Sesame Workshop has responded with a statement saying it's just not going to happen. "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."

And they aren't gay.

"Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics ... they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation." As Sesame Workshop president and CEO Gary Knell said in 2007, "They do not exist below the waist."