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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

2 clusters · 16 sources · 3 days · First seen 3 days ago · Last updated about 11 hours ago

Categories: HEALTH · POLITICS

Minnesota transgender doll initiative

Entities: Nic Rider · University of Minnesota Medical School · Tim Walz · Dianne Berg · Dr Quentin Van Meter

Overview

In late July 2026 the University of Minnesota’s Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health announced the creation of “MyGender Dolls,” a set of paper dolls with removable genitalia and gender‑neutral names intended for children ages 4‑10. Governor Tim Walz pledged roughly $15 million a year of state funding to place the dolls in Minnesota classrooms, framing the program as a therapeutic tool for gender‑diverse youth.

Two days later the university launched the commercial venture behind the kits, MyGender Dolls, founded by faculty members Dr Dianne Berg and Dr Nic Rider. The rollout targeted teachers, counselors, pediatricians and mental‑health professionals, offering over 100 interchangeable accessories. Critics, including a former president of the American College of Pediatricians, denounced the dolls as a grooming tool. The university’s original web pages were removed and several product‑site links became non‑functional, indicating a shift from a publicly funded pilot to a market‑driven offering amid growing controversy.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] The University of Minnesota Medical School’s Institute for Sexual and Gender Health developed transgender-identified paper dolls called MyGender Dolls.
[● 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)
[● 3 SOURCES] The dolls are marketed under the commercial brand MyGender Dolls. (University of Minnesota press releases, product website)
[● 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)
[● 3 SOURCES] The University of Minnesota Medical School’s Institute for Sexual and Gender Health developed paper dolls with removable genitalia called MyGender Dolls.
[● 2 SOURCES] The dolls have removable internal and external genitalia and more than 100 interchangeable clothing, accessories, and hairstyle pieces.
[● 2 SOURCES] The dolls are intended for children as young as four and for use by teachers, school counselors, pediatricians, and mental health professionals.
[● 2 SOURCES] Dr. Quentin Van Meter called the dolls a “grooming tool”.
[● 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)
[● 2 SOURCES] The dolls are intended for use by teachers, school counselors, pediatricians, and mental‑health professionals. (University of Minnesota project description)
[● 2 SOURCES] The dolls have gender‑neutral names such as Sam, Rory, Avery and Parker and include more than 100 interchangeable clothing, hairstyles and accessories.
[● 2 SOURCES] The dolls are intended for children as young as four years old to facilitate discussions about gender and anatomy.

Timeline

about 11 hours ago

[HEALTH] 4 sources
University of Minnesota launches transgender doll kit for preschoolers
University of Minnesota’s Institute for Sexual and Gender Health created MyGender Dolls—paper dolls with removable genitalia—for children as young as four; the kits aim to aid gender‑identity discussions but a
3 days ago

[POLITICS] 12 sources
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz backs taxpayer‑funded transgender dolls for school children
Minnesota’s university program, funded by Gov. Tim Walz, will place “MyGender” transgender dolls with removable genitalia in classrooms for children aged 4‑10 this fall.

Sources

americanwirenews.com · breitbart.com · dailycaller.com · foxnews.com · heartlandernews.com · legalinsurrection.com · libertyunyielding.com · lifezette.com · newsbusters.org · nypost.com · olivetreeviews.org · opslens.com · theblaze.com · washingtonexaminer.com · wnd.com · wokespy.com