The actor who played the mailman policeman was also gay. Fred Rogers knew this but didn't care. From this article:
Rogers' own life demonstrates how attitudes can shift. In the 1960s and '70s he asked the gay Clemmons to keep his sexuality hidden for the sake of the show; Clemmons, understanding how widely homosexuality was condemned at the time, obeyed. However, Rogers personally came to accept Clemmons.
Later in the article:
In 1993, when Clemmons made a last appearance on the show, he and Rogers recreated the pool scene, during which Clemmons sang "Many Ways to Say I Love You." But this time Clemmons didn't just use Rogers' towel — Rogers took the towel and dried Clemmons' feet himself. Clemmons, who saw a connection to Jesus washing his disciples' feet, found the act very moving. As he later said, "I am a Black gay man and Fred washed my feet."
BlackBartRidesAgain on June 24th, 2024 at 13:06 UTC »
This is from the 90s—they redid the skit. In the original, they are both much younger
IgorRenfield on June 24th, 2024 at 13:23 UTC »
If kindness had a face, it would be Fred Rogers.
donquixote235 on June 24th, 2024 at 15:04 UTC »
The actor who played the mailman policeman was also gay. Fred Rogers knew this but didn't care. From this article:
Later in the article: