And it’s okay for them to be hetro life-mates, or bffs, or whatever. It’s okay for people to head cannon them as gay if they like, but all they were ever intended to represent was a kind and loving friendship between two dudes who were fundamentally different. By the same token, love, kindness, and actually being friends with your partner is important even in a romantic relationship. Bert and Ernie are good role models for any relationship really, as they were meant to be.