Once again, the Bee
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EL SEGUNDO, CA—This morning, Mattel announced the launch of a new Barbie-themed toy: a pregnant Ken doll. The move has been hailed as an exciting step forward for trans inclusion.
“Everyone needs to see themselves in their toys," said Mattel executive Andrew Schiewe. "For too long, pregnant boys have been excluded. Today, this finally changes. We are pleased to announce the summer rollout of Pregnant Ken!”
According to reports, the gathered press pool in front of Mattel’s headquarters applauded and whooped for several minutes at Schiewe’s announcement, after which he was able to resume speaking. “All kinds of kids need toys for self-expression: small kids and big kids, sweet kids and nasty kids, poor kids and white kids, as our President says.”
After the reporters from The Washington Post and The Atlantic had to be asked to settle down, Mr. Schiewe spoke again, this time to elaborate on Pregnant Ken's accessories. “Paternity pants, ginger gum for morning sickness, and even postpartum lotion are all sold separately. We emphasize that Ken needs holistic pregnancy care, even for the ‘4th trimester’ when he needs extra support as he adjusts to his new role as a birthing person.”
At publishing time, Mattel had announced a hurried rollout of the new Abortionist Ken, to satisfy pro-choice groups who complained on Twitter about birthing people being put on a pedestal.
And then reality catches up
May 25, 2022: It’s Official: Barbie Goes Transgender
Today.com delivers the news:
To celebrate her 50th birthday on May 29, the Emmy-award winning actor and LGBTQ+ activist is honored with a Tribute Collection Barbie. Her doll is dressed in a red ball gown, a silver bodysuit and comes with accessories like high-heeled boots and silver earrings.
TODAY Parents got in on the action:
“It’s been a dream for years to work with Barbie to create my own doll,” Cox said in a statement shared with TODAY Parents. “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.”
During the live broadcast, Laverne waxed political:
“[Mattel has] this incredible Barbie tribute series with incredible people like (filmmaker) Ava DuVernay, and (singer) Brandy, etc. And I’m the latest person to be so honored. … I love [the doll], and I had so much fun with everyone at Mattel designing her, but I think, this year particularly, when over 250 pieces of anti-transgender legislation have been introduced in state legislatures all over the country, targeting transgender children, LGBTQ youth, that I hope that all the kids who are feeling stigmatized when their healthcare’s being jeopardized, their ability to play in sports, I hope they can see this Barbie and have a sense of hope and possibility. … Because representation matters.”
