(The Lion) — A public university in Minnesota wants to pay the parents of children who identify as transgender to play with transgender paper dolls featuring genitals and sex organs.

“We are looking to hear from transgender and gender diverse children between the ages of 5 and 10 years old and their parents about a new hands-on activity to help talk about gender and bodies,” the National Center for Gender Spectrum Health (NCGSH) at the University of Minnesota (UM) wrote in an Instagram post earlier this year.

“Children and parents will meet a few times in groups with others to play with and give us ideas about the activities,” the post added.

Additionally, UM noted that it will pay between $20 and $60 per child participating in the study.
Families interested in participating will provide feedback on a so-called therapeutic tool called MyGender Dolls.

“The MyGender Dolls are therapeutic tools intended for licensed therapists to use with patients and their parents or caregivers to help children who find it difficult to express themselves,” the school’s website says.

These dolls have bodies of different ages, shapes, and skin colors “so that all kids can see themselves represented and communicate how they see themselves,” the website adds.
The dolls have hairstyles, clothing and accessories that children can layer on to customize the appearance.

The school has an ongoing double-match fundraiser for the dolls. The school says every dollar it raises will be matched by two members of the school’s Human Sexuality Leadership Council.

However, the fundraiser has brought in just $1,305 out of its $25,000 goal.

According to its website, the mission of the NCGSH is to “1) promote scholarship by those who are trans-identified; 2) forward empiricism that is based on the real lived experience of trans-identified people; 3) challenge cisnormativity in healthcare; and 4) promote pleasure and positive sexuality for all bodies.”