Fox News reports that Minnesota has plans to put "transgender dolls" of children in front of young students in schools. The program was developed at the University of Minnesota, which is set to attempt to put these "gender affirming toys" in the hands of kids from ages 4-10.
These “MyGender Dolls” feature removable body parts as well as several different clothing choices and hairstyles. This was meant to be used as a therapeutic tool for educators to be able to teach children that gender is based on how one thinks and feels rather than one's biological sex.
Defending Education (Ed) says that the issues aren't simply the dolls. The organization wrote on X that "there is no indication parents have been notified this program is coming to schools or whether they'll be allowed to opt their children out."
Paul Runko, senior director of strategic initiatives at Defending Education, says that this is the primary reason for concern.
“Parents have the right to know what's happening with their child at school, especially on sensitive topics involving sex, gender and mental health,” Runko says.
Defending Ed has filed a privacy complaint against the state of Minnesota for violations of the Protection of Pupil's Rights Amendments with the U.S Departments of Education and Justice. They also claim violations against the First and Fourteenth Amendment.
Runko says that due to the Supreme Court ruling in Mahmoud v Taylor, parents have the right to decide whether content such as this is appropriate for their child to be learning about in school.
“So, parents, under Mahmoud v Taylor Supreme Court decision, should go to their school districts and say, ‘It's my right as a parent to opt out of these LGBTQ+ materials at school, and by law, you have to allow me to do so’,” Runko says.
