The New Yorker magazine has thrown its support behind the Supreme Court’s decision to repeal a key section of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), earlier this week, by unveiling an equal marriage themed Sesame Street cover.

The cover features Bert and Ernie embracing on a sofa, while an image of the US Supreme Court Justices appears on their television screen.

It’s amazing to witness how attitudes on gay rights have evolved in my lifetime,” said Jack Hunter, the artist behind the cover, titled “Moment of Joy.”

Hunter originally submitted his image to a Tumblr blog, continued: “This is great for our kids, a moment we can all celebrate.”

The characters have been widely assumed to be a couple, despite denials by producers of the long-running children’s television programme.

Back in 2011, a Change.org petition signed by more than 10,000 people called for the characters to get married.

At the time, a Sesame workshop statement said: “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.

“Even though the Sesame Street Muppets … possess many human traits and characteristics, they have no sexual orientation.”

Last month, on Mothers’ Day in the US, the magazine featured an image by a graphic artist, of a lesbian couple waking up on to gifts from their children.

Yesterday, Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue US, tweeted for the first, and what is expected to be one of the only times, to congratulate the US for the rulings.

Back in March, a cover of TIME magazine was revealed, which featured an image of same-sex couples kissing, accompanied by the text: “Gay marriage already won”.

In January, in a similar sentiment, the French edition of Elle Magazine came out in support of equal marriage in France, amidst a heated debate on the issue by featuring a lesbian couple getting married, on its cover.

The new issue of the New Yorker will be available next week.