The Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health at the University of Minnesota has unveiled "MyGender Dolls." These customizable therapeutic tools are designed to help children aged four and older express their gender identity through interchangeable parts and neutral naming.
Detachable Genitalia and 100 Accessory Options for Youth Expression
The University of Minnesota's Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health has designed the MyGender Dolls to serve as a bridge between children and their therapists. According to the report, these dolls feature detachable internal and external genitalia, allowing children to physically represent their identity. to further this customization, the institute has provided over 100 options for hair, clothing, and accessories.
The use of gender-neutral names—such as Sam, Rory, Avery, and Parker—is a deliberate choice by the Eli Coleman Institute to avoid imposing binary expectations on the children using the tools. by stripping away traditional gender markers, the University of Minnesota aims to create a neutral space where a child's self-expression can lead the clinical conversation.
Why MyGender Dolls are Reserved for Licensed Professionals and Children Aged 4+
Unlike commercial toys,the MyGender Dolls are specifically intended for use by licensed professionals working with children aged four and above . The Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health emphasizes that these are "evidence-informed resources," suggesting that the dolls are meant to be used within a structured clinical framework rather than as unsupervised playthings.
This approach reflects a broader shift in pediatric psychology toward gender-affirming care, where the goal is to provide children with the vocabulary and tools to describe their internal experiences.. by limiting the dolls' use to professional settings, the University of Minnesota is positioning the tool as a diagnostic and therapeutic aid rather than a consumer product.
The 2023 Distinguished Champion Award and Governor Tim Walz's Role
The development of these tools occurs within a political environment where gender-affirming care is a central point of contention. as the source reported, Governor Tim Walz was recognized by the Eli Coleman Institute in 2023 with the inaugural "Distinguished Sexual and Gender Health Champion Award." This honor was granted in recognition of Walz's efforts to protect reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare.
The alignment between the University of Minnesota's research and the executive leadership of the state highlights the institutional support for these initiatives in Minnesota. This partnership underscores the state's role as a sanctuary for gender-affirming care at a time when other U.S. states are passing legislation to restrict such services for minors.
Funding Gaps and Professor Dianne Berg's October 19 Return
Despite the announcement, the MyGender Dolls remain in the research and development phase. The project is currently sustained by a combination of donations and grants, rather than a commercial manufacturing contract. This leaves open the question of how the Eli Coleman Institute plans to distribute these tools to professionals outside of their immediate network.
Further clarity on the project's timeline is pending, as the lead researcher, Professor Dianne Berg, is on sabbatical until October 19. It remains unclear what specific "evidence" the University of Minnesota is gathering during this R&D phase to vaidate the dolls' efficacy, or if there are plans to move the MyGender Dolls into a wider commercial market.
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