Mattel releases its very first trans woman-inspired Barbie doll.
The inspiration behind Barbie's new doll is Laverne Cox, an LGBTQIA+ activist, producer, writer, and actress best known for her part in Orange Is the New Black. She became the first transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy Award in an acting category.
The Laverne Cox doll from Barbie's Tribute Collection was introduced for her 50th birthday on May 29.
"I can't wait for fans to find my doll on shelves and have the opportunity to add a Barbie doll modeled after a transgender person to their collection," Cox said in a statement.
She also claims that she is fully involved in the designing process of her Barbie doll. The Cox Barbie doll is wearing a red corset and tulle skirt and beneath it is a silver catsuit with shimmery heels.
The actress said in an interview with People that she used to ask her mother to get her a Barbie doll, "I begged my mother for a Barbie doll and she said no because I was assigned male at birth, and when I was in my 30s, I was in therapy and telling my therapist that I was denied the opportunity to play with Barbie dolls. And my therapist said, 'It's never too late to have a happy childhood, and what you should do for your inner child is go out and buy yourself a Barbie doll.'"
Mattel aims to advocate inclusivity through its new releases of dolls. This includes Barbies with hearing aids and wheelchairs, Barbies with vitiligo, and Barbies without hair. The company successfully creates a diverse representation that empowers women of all shapes and sizes. The Laverne Cox Barbie is now available at MattelCreations.com and other major toy retailers for $39.99 (Approximately 2,000pesos).
━━ Written By Shanna Grace Hebron
