Fans petition for first transgender Barbie to be modelled after Laverne Cox

"You can't be what you can't see."

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox Source: Getty Images, WireImage

Following this week's announcement that modelled after inspirational women from history and present-day, fans have begun a petition to have the first transgender Barbie become a reality - inspired by none other than actress Laverne Cox.
Fans argue that a transgender Barbie Doll would do wonders for representation and visibility.

"Let's show Mattel our numbers," Jason Preston, the petition's founder, said on Twitter.

"Representation matters!"
Earlier this week, Lisa McKnight, the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Barbie, said she understood the importance of diversity for the Barbie brand.

"As a brand that inspires the limitless potential in girls, Barbie will be honouring its largest line up of role models timed to International Women’s Day because we know that you can’t be what you can’t see."
The new "shero" Barbies, which were released in time for International Women's Day, include US Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, Australian conservationist Bindi Irwin and world-renowned artist Frida Kahlo.

You can sign the petition


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1 min read
Published 9 March 2018 3:49pm
Updated 9 March 2018 3:54pm
By Samuel Leighton-Dore


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