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You know, I’ve been doing these ToughPigs Pride Month events for a long time now. My favorite part of them is, of course, that we raise money for LGBTQ+ charities. Which, hey, did you know that if you’re reading this article today, you can still donate and still win some incredible prizes if you click here?
But I digress. My other favorite part is the Pride Month Profiles. Every year since 2023, I’ve been talking to and spotlighting some of the coolest queer puppeteers, performers, and creatives that help make the worlds of Henson, the Muppets, and Sesame Street as beautiful as they are.
Like I always say, people in the LGBTQ+ community are just people in your neighborhood, like everybody else. And whether you know it or not, we’re everywhere: even behind your favorite TV shows and movies.
I’ve been thinking about these old profiles. I end every Pride Month Profile by asking the featured artist “What is one message you want to leave our readers, especially our queer readers?” And look, it’s my sincerest belief that in stressful, upsetting times like these, we need to turn to the members of our community for strength and direction. So I asked myself: what’s one lesson that I, Becca Petunia, learned from talking to each person I spotlighted? Let’s walk down memory lane and see…
1. Morgana Ignis – Let Authenticity Be Your Weapon
The first profile I ran was for Morgana Ignis, the “enthusiastically transgender” performer behind Ned from Earth to Ned and several other full-body characters. Since I wrote this profile, Morgana has become best known as the brand manager of the Glitch Studios shows, including favorites like The Amazing Digital Circus. From Morgana, I learned to “let authenticity be your weapon.” She talks a lot about gaining confidence from coming out, and that confidence leading her in new personal, romantic, and professional directions. Even when people attack her, Morgana stresses that they “end up looking absolutely ridiculous going after someone who has zero insecurity in what they are or do.”
There’s no need to hide yourself. The world becomes better in every way when you become who you were meant to be.
2. Stoph Scheer – Respect, Agency, and Autonomy
My trans pal Stoph Scheer has become a somewhat frequent presence on ToughPigs since I profiled her, but her continuous appearances in Muppet projects have been even more exciting to see. In her profile, Stoph talked to me a little bit about the ways puppetry is a type of animism to her; the idea that objects are performing reminds us about the life inside of everything. Stoph said that believing in puppets requires an understanding that we must treat everyone with respect, agency, and autonomy. If we can appreciate that a piece of cloth is a frog, we can appreciate so much about the people around us.
I try to be open to the new ideas and new people I meet, understanding the unique spark inside of each and every one.
3. Kira Hall – Bro Out With Your Community
Kira Hall is the nonbinary performer behind many of the creatures of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, including debuting Princess Gorg in the time since I wrote their profile. Kira recounted their time coming out to the team at the Henson Company, and finding a new community in the process. They joke about “bro-ing out” with Ali J. Eisner, another nonbinary performer on set. Finding a kinship with Ali led Kira to feel safer on Back to the Rock, which eventually led to them feeling safer to come out in other aspects of their life.
Rely on the rest of your community. We all want to help each other flourish, and finding your people leads to positive changes everywhere.
4. Ali J. Eisner – Kids Don’t Care What Your Gender Is
Nonbinary puppeteer Ali J. Eisner is a true veteran of the puppetry industry, performing for Canadian shows (including Back to the Rock) for years. Talking to Ali was wonderful for so many reasons: they’re a font of interesting stories and perspectives. But one of the points Ali made that most stuck with me is that they’ve found that children don’t struggle to understand nonbinary people as much as adults do. They said, plainly, “Kids just care if you’re funny, cool, or nice. They don’t care what your gender is.”
Sometimes, it’s the simplest points that stick with you. It’s nice to remember that at the end of the day, what matters most is if you’re a good person to be around. If only more adults could learn the same thing.
5. Andrew G. Cooper – Stay Fluid
Andrew G. Cooper is a genderfluid performer on Back to the Rock, assisting with many of the characters and playing many cave creatures. Since I profiled them, they’ve been branching out into more and more creative fields, including a recent award-winning sci-fi horror short film called Strangers. Cooper talked a lot about being fluid: not only in terms of gender, but in terms of an openness to change and new ideas. On set, they frequently bounce from character to character, and in their life they move between a number of projects and ideas.
It’s great to remember that in all forms, opening yourself up to newness is essential for succeeding in life.
6. Alan Muraoka – Be a Part of The Fabric of Our Community
Of all the people I spoke to over the years, no one has been with a Muppet project longer than gay actor and director Alan Muraoka has been with Sesame Street. As Hooper’s Store’s Alan, Muraoka has worked with Sesame on so many initiatives, joining the show in work about autism, racism, disability, and more. Alan takes joy in the show being able to reach so many different kinds of people.
During Pride Month, we talk a lot about the LGBTQ+ community. But it’s important to remember the fact that our community is a piece of a larger whole. We need to remember not only intersectionality within our community, but the many other groups around us who seek understanding and aid.
7. Charley Feldman – Every New Thing I Learn About You Makes Me Love You Even More
Charley Feldman, a nonbinary writer, wrote for Back to the Rock and brought us fan favorite episode “I’m Pogey” (among others). (They also wrote for, and were the supervising producer of, Season 1 of X-Men 97, a show that I have finally watched. It’s good!) When I spoke to Charley, they highlighted a quote from “I’m Pogey” in a meaningful way. When Gobo learns about Wembley’s new gender presentation, he says “EVERY NEW THING I LEARN ABOUT YOU MAKES ME LOVE YOU EVEN MORE!” Charley talks about that as a mindset allies need when their loved ones come out. A friend coming out to you is not a time for sadness, but a time for joy; the joy that comes with your love and understanding of another deepening further.
This is true for us queer people too. We need to be welcoming to all, because learning more about others can be the best source of happiness.
8. Jen Capra – You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup
I haven’t posted my profile on bisexual Sesame Street writer Jen Capra yet, but expect it soon! I won’t spoil much, but I will say that in talking to her, Jen stressed that even though standing up for the LGBTQ+ community is essential, it is important that we take time to feel the joy of our community as well. She quotes the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” reminding us that taking time to refuel on fun is important if we’re going to keep fighting all year.
So take time to celebrate this Pride Month, even if it’s almost over. You’ll need that positive energy to remind you why we fight in the first place.
And hey, like I said: there’s still time to both help us celebrate pride month and fight at the same time. Click here to find out how to win fabulous prizes by helping LGBTQ+ people in need! And there’s still one more chance to celebrate with the ToughPigs gang: join us on Thursday, July 2 at 6:30 PM Eastern for a livestream full of games, trivia, and special guests where we’ll be announcing the winners! Follow us on social media for more info on that!
Click here to reminisce about pride months past on the ToughPigs Discord!
