Since learning how to walk and talk, Jazz Jennings always felt as if something was a little different. Jazz gravitated towards dresses and dolls instead of dirt and trucks as a toddler, and this was the earliest sign that Jazz, born male, identified as female. At just five years old, Jazz announced to her family that she identified as a female, making her the one of the youngest people to be documented as transgender. A decade later, Jazz has nearly 850,000 followers on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube combined, is one of the youngest and greatest transgender icons, and now will have a doll modeled after her.
The Tonner Doll Company, based in Kingston, NY, has debuted the world's first transgender doll at the New York Toy Fair, which took place from February 18-21. The doll itself, based off of Jazz, was sculpted and designed by the founder of the company, Robert Tonner.
While the company usually specializes in high fashion dolls and adult collectibles, this doll is aimed toward children, specifically ages eight and up. Matching the outfit on the cover of Jazz's second book, "Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teenager," the doll wears a pink shirt with denim shorts. There is also a second red-carpet version of the doll, wearing a twinkling white ballerina dress.
The Jazz Jennings doll comes forty years after the release of the Gay Bob, 1977, which was thought to be based on a gay character. The Jazz doll is made from a gender-less mold and the packaging may not even include the word 'transgender.'
"Jazz stands for everything I respect from a human nature point of view, she’s incredibly brave, intelligent, warm-hearted and creative." Tonner said.
Jazz took to Instagram to characterize her excitement for the doll with a post that reads:
"This is the first transgender doll on the market, and guess what?! It's ME!!!😱😍 @tonnerdoll did a great job of creating this beautiful item! It will be available in July, and I hope that it can place transgender people in a positive light by showing that we are just like all other people💗 For those asking: the doll is considered to be the first "transgender" doll because it's based on an individual who is trans. Of course it is still just a regular girl doll because that's exactly what I am: a regular girl!💖"
The Jazz Jennings doll is set to be available for purchase in July and is expected to retail for $89.99.
