'Trans dolls' with removable genitals to be dished out to schoolchildren in America

Trans dolls equipped with removable genitals are set to dished out to schoolchildren in Minnesota.

Known as MyGender Dolls, the toys carry gender-neutral names like "Sam" and are designed for use in "therapeutic" settings with children from the age of four.

The "first-of-their-kind" dolls are intended to help children explore gender identity, with the programme's stated purpose being to help young people "learn about the different options that exist for who they can be".

They were developed over a six-year period at the University of Minnesota Medical School's Institute for Sexual and Gender Health.

The dolls are paper-based and come with more than 100 interchangeable items, including accessories, clothing and hairstyles.

During the research phase, "trans and gender diverse" children were paid to interact with the dolls and take part in group discussions about gender.

Although the university's medical school receives roughly $15million (£11.2million) per year in state funding, the institution has previously insisted that no public money was directed towards the MyGender Dolls research.

A conservative nonprofit organisation has called on the US Government to launch an investigation into the programme.

Defending Education, which has previously brought legal challenges against transgender policies in educational settings, submitted a formal complaint to both the US Department of Education and the Justice Department.

In its complaint, Defending Education raised concerns about the apparent lack of parental engagement ahead of the programme's introduction.

"Although MyGender Dolls are reportedly the result of 'state-funded efforts' and intended for use Minnesota schools, there is no indication in news reports or on the MyGender Dolls website that Minnesota parents have been informed about MyGender Dolls' forthcoming launch," the group wrote.

"DE urges your departments to investigate Minnesota's MyGender Dolls program and take appropriate corrective action."

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The organisation argued that the initiative may breach several federal provisions.

Among the laws cited was the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, which bars federal funding from flowing to schools that compel pupils to take part in activities requiring them "to submit to a survey, analysis, or evaluation" concerning their "sex behavior or attitudes."

Defending Education also pointed to potential violations of the First and 14th Amendments to the US Constitution.

A Supreme Court ruling from last year was also referenced in the complaint, which determined that state schools are obliged to notify parents and offer an opt-out mechanism when certain LGBT-related material is presented in the classroom.

The group also argued the programme could conflict with executive orders on transgenderism issued by Donald Trump.

Shortly after returning to the White House in January last year, the President signed off an executive order which only ensured the federal government only recognises two genders - male and female.

The "Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling" executive order was signed just days later, prohibited children from kindergarten to twelfth grade schools from being taught teaching any material considered promoting gender ideology or critical race theory.

The US President also brought in a ban on biological men from competing in women's sports, with Mr Trump declaring that "the war on women's sports is over" under his watch.

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