Barbie Releases First Transgender Doll

Iconic actress Laverne Cox has made history as the first transgender actress immortalised as a Barbie doll.

The four-time Emmy-nominated actress and Emmy-winning producer says the release of the doll holds a hugely special place in her heart.

Trangender Barbie

“As a kid I wanted a Barbie doll so badly and my mother did not allow me to have one,” Laverne said. “It was painful and my therapist said, ‘It’s never too late to have a happy childhood so you should go and buy yourself a Barbie and play with her’.

“And so I did, I went out and bought a Barbie doll and I played with her and I dressed her. And it was a way for me to heal my inner child. And then my mother, that Christmas, sent me a Barbie doll. It was so deeply and beautifully healing.

“Now kids get to dream with a Laverne Cox Barbie. The first transgender Barbie.”

Laverne Cox Barbie

Trangender Barbie

Laverne Cox Barbie

Trangender Barbie

The Orange Is The New Black actress’ doll wears an original design featuring a red tulle gown over a silver metallic bodysuit. Mattel said, “As a four-time Emmy-nominated actress, Emmy-winning producer, and the first transgender woman of colour to have a leading role on a scripted TV show, Laverne Cox uses her voice to amplify the message of moving beyond societal expectations to live more authentically.”

The Barbie Collection Laverne Cox Doll (US$40) is only available through Mattel Creations.

The doll is the latest in a line of Barbie Tribute dolls, including Vera Wang.

49 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 04 Sep 2024
    11:38 am
Interesting concept.

- - Lividanke said
  - 31 Aug 2024
    7:54 pm
There is a Barbie for everyone these days.

- - Jessica said
  - 28 Apr 2023
    10:02 pm
This concept is mind boggling to me…barbies aren’t anatomically correct so for one to be transgender doesn’t make sense. Makes more sense to say it’s a tribute barbie of the transgender actress

- - Zmijka86 said
  - 29 Jun 2022
    8:26 pm
Looks normal to me…if I will not read the article I will not know.

- - My Littlebuttons said
  - 25 Jun 2022
    8:44 am
Thank you Mattel for doing this and for doing the Barbie Tribute Dolls

- - mom461384 said
  - 19 Jun 2022
    7:41 pm
I don’t think young kids think or see anything more to these dolls other than Barbie dolls. But I am so happy to see Martell bring acknowledgement

- - tessie said
  - 09 Jun 2022
    11:39 am
Children will see it as another Barbie Doll to love even if they don’t know who Laverne Cox actually is
- tessie replied
  
  09 Jun 2022 , 11:40 am
  Or what she stands for
- - mom487937 said
  - 04 Jun 2022
    8:13 am
Diversity and inclusivity is always great to see. Nothing wrong with these toys, representation matters.

- - mom400215 said
  - 02 Jun 2022
    10:07 pm
I’m not sure this is what young kids need to be thinking about at their age… whether they want to be transgender or not. I don’t think these personal adult preferences should be pushed down children’s throats

- - mom485263 said
  - 01 Jun 2022
    8:40 pm
Good to see large brands being inclusive.

- - rovermum said
  - 01 Jun 2022
    4:57 pm
I love this. Laverne is absolutely fantastic.

- - mustangsachy said
  - 01 Jun 2022
    10:38 am
This is great and inclusive.

- - Rida zainab said
  - 01 Jun 2022
    5:20 am
The world actually needs this ???????? Gender equality and their respect is so so important which humans forget often. This will also help to teach kids in an early age about gender equality and their reSpect. Plus all genders should enjoy toys why only boys n girls why not transgenders ???????? Amazing and thoughtful✨

- - Rida zainab said
  - 01 Jun 2022
    5:20 am
The world actually needs this ???????? Gender equality and their respect is so so important which humans forget often. This will also help to teach kids in an early age about gender equality and their reSpect. Plus all genders should enjoy toys why only boys n girls why not transgenders ???????? Amazing and thoughtful✨

- - mom101628 said
  - 01 Jun 2022
    12:57 am
Cannot see any transgender in the doll – and doubt that children will be aware who Laverne Cox is anyway.
- mom466087 replied
  
  01 Jun 2022 , 9:09 am
  They will just play with the doll as it is
- - emilys said
  - 31 May 2022
    8:45 pm
Love this- good job Barbie. Way to get everyone involved.

- - mom487365 said
  - 31 May 2022
    8:33 pm
I love that such a widely known company like Barbie is becoming more progressive and inclusive!

- - mom462038 said
  - 31 May 2022
    6:58 pm
So what makes the doll transgender? Is it just the fact it’s based on a transgender person? Or is it a woman with a penis? I am clueless ????‍♀️

- - mom486267 said
  - 31 May 2022
    1:46 pm
Love the outfit on this Barbie. They are releasing so many different babies these days

- - mom lidia84 said
  - 31 May 2022
    10:49 am
I’m all for accepting people for who they are, however nowadays it’s like we’re pushing children to make decisions they are to young to make. What we should do is just be accepting to our children, make sure they know we love and care for them. Other decisions about who they are and how they feel, will come to them overtime. Just as long as when they make that decision, we accept the decision not force them to make a choice too early about life changing decisions.
I’m not happy Barbie has gone this way. I feel they are now pushing decisions on children by putting so much of it in their face everyday, they are confused enough they don’t need adults confusing and making decisions for them.
Let children just grow up. Talk to your children. That’s all they need.
- ~Loui~ replied
  
  01 Jun 2022 , 11:13 pm
  Mattel isn’t ‘pushing’ this on children to make a decision. This logic just doesn’t make any sense. Going by your logic, If we gave girls male dolls to play with they may want to be males. I’m not sure that you are aware – It is not a choice – it is who people are. #fighttransphobia