A nonprofit organization is calling for a federal investigation into the planned rollout of transgender dolls in Minnesota classrooms. Defending Education, a group known for its legal challenges to transgender policies in schools, has filed a complaint with the Department of Education and the Justice Department regarding the MyGender Dolls program.
The dolls, described as "first-of-their-kind," are intended to teach children as young as four about gender identity. The dolls feature gender-neutral names like "Sam" and come with over 100 interchangeable accessories, clothing, and hairstyles, designed for "therapeutic" activities. The program is the result of six years of research conducted at the University of Minnesota Medical School's Institute for Sexual and Gender Health. While the University of Minnesota's Medical School receives state funding, the university has stated that no public funds were used for the research on MyGender Dolls.
Defending Education argues that the MyGender Dolls program may violate several federal policies. The group cited the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, which restricts the use of federal funds for schools that require students to participate in surveys or evaluations concerning their attitudes about sex. Additionally, the complaint references a Supreme Court ruling requiring public schools to provide parents with notice and an opt-out option for certain LGBTQ-related curriculum materials. The group also pointed to executive orders from the Trump administration that targeted "indoctrination in K-12 schools based on gender ideology."
According to Defending Education's complaint, there is no indication that Minnesota parents have been informed about the impending launch of the MyGender Dolls. The organization urges federal departments to investigate the program and take corrective action.