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Billy Porter is responding to his critics after conservative outrage over his wearing a dress during an appearance on the children's program Sesame Street.
To be more specific, the outfit was a custom designed Christian Siriano tuxedo gown.
The two artists, Porter who currently stars on Pose and Siriano who currently appears on Project Runway have collaborated several times.
Happy Pride Sweeties! Thank you @CSiriano for this fabulous custom gown! Taste the rainbow!!! #pride 🌈 Jewels by… https://t.co/fZIIplj0zB— Billy Porter (@Billy Porter) 1561948616.0
At the 2019 Oscars, Porter and Siriano absolutely nailed his look in a formal tuxedo dress.
Just when I thought I was done with 2019, Pose star @theebillyporter showed up to the #Oscars in a Tuxedo-Gown and… https://t.co/l8ROy8QDxZ— Ryan Knight 🏳️🌈 🗽 (@Ryan Knight 🏳️🌈 🗽) 1551047391.0
Almost exactly a year later, Porter donned the dress once more to visit everyone's favorite place:
Sesame Street!
An iconic day with an iconic person ♥️ Thanks for visiting Sesame Street, @theebillyporter! #Season51 https://t.co/Yre2PO4a0p— Sesame Street (@Sesame Street) 1580391738.0
Y’all, talk about iconic... I was tickled to meet @elmo and the gang at @sesamestreet! https://t.co/WuEpjRkRi8— Billy Porter (@Billy Porter) 1580410209.0
Well we made it to @sesamestreet to teach a new generation how to be their most authentic self and I’m so proud of… https://t.co/4JvpcIfzv3— Christian Siriano (@Christian Siriano) 1580758016.0
Predictably, conservatives on Twitter were aghast at a man wearing a dress on a children's program.
What might seeing this well-dressed person do to our young ones‽‽
@sesamestreet @theebillyporter @elmo I don't allow my children to watch shows that intentionally confuse them until… https://t.co/d8atCRKQMa— TaurusBrit (@TaurusBrit) 1580425301.0
@sesamestreet @theebillyporter @elmo This is why people teach their children at a young age not to believe everythi… https://t.co/LiLrqqvSCe— rightwingketodad (@rightwingketodad) 1580446731.0
@sesamestreet @theebillyporter @elmo This absolutely shameful and this should be off limits to children!!! Never e… https://t.co/VygqVEtGgZ— DizFam (@DizFam) 1580408728.0
Billy Porter commented to Page Six:
"If you don't like it, don't watch it."
The response yesterday to a photo of Billy Porter on Sesame Street was mostly positive... but for the few who were… https://t.co/lTzi3rA7N4— ToughPigs: Muppet Fans Who Grew Up (@ToughPigs: Muppet Fans Who Grew Up) 1580482338.0
Porter also pointed out how strange it is that many of his critics for some reason connected wearing a dress and "perverted demon sex."
"Like, what about me singing with a penguin [on the show] has anything to do with what I'm doing in my bedroom?"
@LogoTV @theebillyporter @sesamestreet They can stay mad. Someone has to teach the children how to dress.— Summertime Gladness (@Summertime Gladness) 1580515646.0
Frankly, the Pose star would love it if people stopped butting into his bedroom life.
"The really interesting thing for me is that that's what it's all about when it comes to LGBTQ people—the first thing everyone wants to talk about is how we having sex. Stay out of my bedroom and you will be fine—that is none of your business."
Their approval neither desired nor required. https://t.co/bb1bcKhRkh— Brad Takei (@Brad Takei) 1580765602.0
Twitter loved Porter for his honest comeback.
@LogoTV @theebillyporter @sesamestreet Go Billy!!!! You are awesome!!!!— Katie Banks-Todd (@Katie Banks-Todd) 1580521862.0
@LogoTV @theebillyporter @sesamestreet You are Fabulous— GarryWalls (@GarryWalls) 1580523712.0
@LogoTV @theebillyporter @sesamestreet Cannot wait to see you in that beautiful outfit on Sesame Street!… https://t.co/HXSzsHNsyk— Kimberly Hanson (@Kimberly Hanson) 1580524145.0
On Sesame Street, people can dress however they want.
It's a very nice place, after all.