Let’s get this out of the way: I’m gay. In fact, I’m the “I have a wife” flavor of gay. And I have a niece on the way. So, you can imagine how thrilled I am to see toys becoming more and more diverse!
However, as toys actually strive to include everyone, so do the people who are disgruntled with children’s play things actually looking like them.
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The other day, I wrote an article about an American Girl doll with an LGBTQ+ backstory.
Kira, a spunky, animal-loving adventurer, has two gay aunts in one of her featured books. I happily wrote an article celebrating that fact, but writing that article sent me down a homophobic rabbit hole of angry comments.
See, some people on American Girl’s site considered two tertiary characters being gay in a doll’s backstory too “adult” for their children.
Many people were somehow uncomfortable with showing kids what different types of families look like.
In fact, one user seemingly impersonated their young child in order to explain that they (the child) understand that being gay is wrong, and immoral.
Rather than offend me, it made me laugh. I can’t fathom logging onto the internet and rage typing that a doll has some gay aunties, you know? I’ve got stuff to do.
Toys being inclusive doesn’t harm anyone.
In fact, it’s a beautiful thing. Children seeing themselves represented in their toys is incredibly important to childhood development. If they have something that looks like them, their self-esteem will benefit greatly.
But don’t just take my word for it — read this article from one mom who shared her experience of struggling to find dolls with dark skin tones for her daughters.
Toys bring kids joy, and so does representation. That’s the most important thing here.
From Mattel’s gender-neutral doll to Kira with her gay aunties, kids experiencing how wonderful and diverse our world can be is something to be celebrated.
I can’t wait to spoil my niece with toys that look like her, represent her, and are for her. She’s going to be a happy, bubbly kid with a unique life — and isn’t that what we all want for the next generation?
Last Updated on March 10, 2021 by Brittany Rae
