University of Minnesota launches transgender doll kit for preschoolers
The University of Minnesota Medical School’s Institute for Sexual and Gender Health developed a set of paper dolls called MyGender Dolls. The dolls feature gender‑neutral names such as Sam, Rory, Avery and Parker and include removable internal and external genitalia plus more than 100 interchangeable clothing, hairstyle and accessory pieces. Designed for children as young as four, the kits are intended to help teachers, school counselors, pediatricians and mental‑health professionals facilitate conversations about gender identity and anatomy.
The project was spun into a commercial venture, MyGender Dolls, founded by faculty members Dr Dianne Berg and Dr Nic Rider. Critics, including Dr Quentin Van Meter, past president of the American College of Pediatricians, have denounced the dolls as a grooming tool. The university’s original web pages on the project were later removed, and several links on the product’s website remain non‑functional.
Entities: Dianne Berg · Dr Dianne Berg · Dr Nic Rider · Dr Quentin Van Meter · Dr. Dianne Berg · Dr. Nic Rider · Dr. Quentin Van Meter · MyGender Dolls · Nic Rider · Tim Walz · University of Minnesota Medical School
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Dr. Quentin Van Meter called the dolls a “grooming tool”.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] University of Minnesota removed web pages about the project after criticism.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The dolls are intended for children as young as four and for use by teachers, school counselors, pediatricians, and mental health professionals.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The University of Minnesota Medical School’s Institute for Sexual and Gender Health developed transgender-identified paper dolls called MyGender Dolls.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The dolls have removable internal and external genitalia and more than 100 interchangeable clothing, accessories, and hairstyle pieces.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The program is backed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The project originated after more than six years of research.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Drs. Dianne Berg and Nic Rider founded the commercial venture MyGender Dolls.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The project was founded by Dr. Dianne Berg and Dr. Nic Rider, licensed therapists and faculty members at the university. (University of Minnesota biographies)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The dolls have gender‑neutral names such as Sam, Rory, Avery and Parker and include interchangeable clothing, hairstyles and accessories. (Product descriptions, New York Post)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Dr. Quentin Van Meter, former president of the American College of Pediatricians, criticized the dolls as a grooming tool. (Interview quoted in New York Post and other outlets)
- [● 3 SOURCES] University of Minnesota Medical School's Institute for Sexual and Gender Health developed paper dolls with removable genitalia for children as young as four. (New York Post, University of Minnesota sources)