Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz backs taxpayer‑funded transgender dolls for school children

The University of Minnesota’s Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health has developed a set of “MyGender Dolls” that feature removable internal and external genitalia and gender‑neutral names such as Sam, Rory, Avery and Parker. The dolls are intended for use by clinicians, educators and school counselors with children ages 4‑10, with the stated goal of helping kids “learn about the different options that exist for who they can be.”

The project, described as a therapeutic tool, has been funded by the state under Governor Tim Walz, who has allocated roughly $15 million annually to the university’s research program. The dolls are slated to be placed in some Minnesota classrooms this fall, making them available to students as young as four years old.

Proponents say the dolls provide evidence‑informed resources for gender‑diverse children, while critics argue the program introduces controversial gender topics to very young students using taxpayer money.