Laverne Cox becomes first trans person honoured with Barbie doll
Laverne Cox becomes first trans person honoured with Barbie doll

Mattel announced this week, that Emmy-winning actress and trans rights advocate Laverne Cox is being honoured with a Barbie doll in her likeness to celebrate her 50th birthday.
"It's time to celebrate another visionary, whose incredible contributions have helped shape and impact our culture. With the latest doll in our Barbie Tribute Collection, we're proudly honoring award-winning actress, producer, writer, and prominent LGBTQ+ advocate Laverne Cox," Mattel said in a news release.
It's the first time the Barbie brand is releasing a doll of a transgender model. The doll is part of the Barbie Tribute Collection, honouring icons past and present in the fashion industry.
Mattel said its Barbie Signature team worked directly with the 'Orange is the New Black' star to create a dress, corset and bodysuit for the doll.
"During our planning and design phases, the pandemic ruled out the possibility of in-person meetings, so we found different ways of collaborating. Video conferencing, email, and physical mail served to bridge the gap. We also sent doll body and skin tone samples to advance the design process," Mattel said.
The doll is available to purchase on the Mattel Creations website for US$40.00.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Celebrations, protests take place on Canada Day in Ottawa
Thousands of people wearing red and white and waiving Canadian flags packed downtown Ottawa to celebrate Canada's 155th birthday on Friday, while groups of protesters popped up around Parliament Hill to protest COVID-19 vaccines and federal restrictions.

'Summer of recovery': Pandemic-stricken tourism industry sees signs of optimism
Canada Day has kicked off the unofficial start of summer, and the tourism sector is hopeful the first season in three years largely free of COVID-19 restrictions will marshal a much-needed boost for a pandemic-stricken industry.
Biden intends to nominate a conservative, anti-abortion lawyer to federal judgeship, Kentucky Democrats say
U.S. President Joe Biden intends to nominate an anti-abortion Republican lawyer to a federal judgeship, two Kentucky Democrats informed of the decision say.
'We have to build bridges': Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk on Ukraine, reconciliation
Moving toward reconciliation doesn't come from jumping 'the queue to perfection,' but by building bridges and trusting one another, Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk told CTV News Channel during Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa on Friday.
The Canadian flag in the context of 'Freedom Convoy' and residential schools
In the wake of last year’s discoveries of unmarked graves at residential schools and the prominent displays of the Canadian flag during 'Freedom Convoy' protests, some Canadians are re-evaluating the meaning of the national symbol.
'Not going to happen in our lifetime': First-time homebuyers share their struggles with purchasing a home
A recent survey shows nearly 50 per cent of Canadians who rent expect to do so forever. As rising interest and inflation rates contribute to a sense of pessimism among first-time homebuyers in Canada, some are sharing their struggles with purchasing their first house.
In Canada Day message, Trudeau says Canadian flag represents promise of a better life
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on Canadians to recommit to the country’s values, including respect, hope and kindness, in his official Canada Day message.
Court rejects bid by AFN National Chief RoseAnne Archibald to overturn suspension
The Assembly of First Nations says an Ontario court has rejected a bid by National Chief RoseAnne Archibald to overturn her recent suspension.
Infection with HIV can accelerate aging within the first two to three years of infection, study says
Living with HIV may have an immediate effect on how your body ages, according to new research which showed that cellular aging was sped up within two to three years of infection.