In a somewhat surprising recent update, the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, so near Minneapolis-St. Paul, released a video and article about a new project called “MyGender Dolls.” These dolls allow children to swap genitals, internal organs, and clothes on the dolls to express their gender identity.
In an article about the dolls, the university described what the point of the dolls was, noting that they were meant to be used during home therapy, telehealth sessions saying, “With COVID-19 making in-person therapy impossible, the co-directors of the NCGSH have shifted to app development. With the support of their caregiver(s) and therapist, children will be able to use the MyGender Dolls app at home during telehealth sessions. Please share our crowdfund widely and support if you can!”
Continuing, the university described the creator of the dolls, saying, “MyGender Dolls began as an idea of the Institute for Sexual and Gender Health psychologist, Rachel Becker-Warner, PsyD. NCGSH Co-Director, Dianne Berg, PhD, and Communications Specialist, Ashley Finch, have been hard at work developing the dolls to be used as a therapeutic tool for transgender and gender diverse children.”\
Commenting on the idea and noting what can be done with the dolls and for what purpose those changes to them can be made, the university went on to say, “The concept is similar to classic paper dolls; kids can select bodies, genitals, clothes, and other accessories as a way to visualize their anatomy and genders.”
Building on that, the university then noted, “The dolls consist of bodies that vary in age, shape, and skin color, so all kids can see themselves represented. In addition to the bodies, kids will have a choice of genitals and internal reproductive organs to show that their gender identity is valid no matter what parts they have.”
Noting the full extent of some of the options, the university then added, “Clothing options: each clothing item is drawn several times so that any outfit will fit any body. With over 100 different clothing, accessory, and hair options, kids will have a lot of choices for self-expression through their doll.”
And, noting that the project has already gotten some media attention, the university said, “Although the project is still in its infancy, it has already started gaining attention. Aside from being presented at the 2019 United States Professional Association for Transgender Health (USPATH; the U.S. division of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health) symposium, the dolls also made an appearance in the University of Minnesota’s Discovery Magazine in March 2020.”
Concluding, it wrote that the point of the project is to aid children “with their gender exploration,” saying, “As we move forward, the plan is to create more bodies, clothing, and accessories by hiring more transgender and gender diverse identified artists, and to get this tool into the hands of gender therapists who support kids with their gender exploration.”
The Libs of TikTok X account, commenting on the project, said, “BREAKING: @UMNews is rolling out a project called “MyGender Dolls” as a “therapeutic” tool for kids to express their “gender identity.” The project allows kids to swap different g*nitals and internal organs with their dolls, as well as pick what clothes they wear.”
Watch the video released about the project here:
Featured image credit: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
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