The order was placed as they knew they’d get a reaction, the company (which I have no connection to but live locally so I’m well aware of their stance) have refused other work in the past that they didn’t feel they could put their name to.
If I went to a baker and asked to make a jesus/allah/giant flying spaghetti monster cake and they baker wasn’t comfortable with it as he was of another faith I’d be pretty sure that in a world of freedom and liberty that it was their right not to have to do something they were at odds with.
Pretty ridiculous situation really that it’s got this far, I’d have refused to do it on the grounds that Bert and Ernie are kids tv characters not gay icons