Taxpayer-funded transgender dolls, complete with removable genitalia, are scheduled to be introduced in some Minnesota classrooms this fall for children aged 4 to 10. Developed by the University of Minnesota Medical School's Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, the dolls are intended to help children "learn about the different options that exist for who they can be," according to a therapist at the institution.
The project, which received over six years of development funding, has been spun into a commercial venture called "MyGender Dolls." The dolls, which have gender-neutral names such as "Sam," "Rory," "Avery," and "Parker," come with more than 100 interchangeable pieces, including clothing, accessories, hairstyles, and detachable internal and external genitalia.
During the research phase, children and their parents were compensated to engage with the dolls and discuss "gender and bodies." Prototypes shown at a 2024 conference depicted a doll named "Sam" with a detachable penis, alongside a dress and women's underwear, suggesting a representation of gender transition.
The "MyGender Dolls" website states the dolls are intended for teachers, school counselors, pediatricians, and mental health providers, though it is unclear if parents or children can order them directly or if opt-out options will be available. The cost of the dolls has not been disclosed.
The University of Minnesota Medical School receives $15 million annually from the state, with a portion allocated to its Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, which has a reported research budget of $1.4 million for 2025. Governor Tim Walz, who has supported transgender policies in the state, received an award from the institute in 2023. Medical School Associate Professor Nic Rider, a co-founder of MyGender Dolls who specializes in transgender health for children and teens, was pictured with Walz.
Another co-founder, Associate Professor Dianne Berg, previously stated that genitals are a key part of the research project, aiming to teach that "what makes you real is not what your body parts are, but how you think and feel." Other university therapists noted using the dolls to encourage discussions about bodies and future appearance.
Critics have voiced concerns that the dolls could be misused to promote ideologies to children. Dr. Quentin Van Meter, former president of the American College of Pediatricians, described the dolls as a potential grooming tool and "profoundly inappropriate" for young children who may struggle to distinguish fantasy from reality.
A spokesperson for the University of Minnesota stated that no public funds were used for the commercialization of MyGender Dolls. However, the university declined to disclose the specific amount of taxpayer money used for the dolls' research and development or for the salaries of involved professors, directing inquiries to a freedom of information request. Governor Walz's office has not yet responded to requests for comment.