Uncles create same-sex Barbie set and attract attention of toy brand Mattel
The uncles wanted to give their niece a present that could connect to their upcoming wedding
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Two uncles create a same-sex Barbie set for their niece and attract the attention of toy manufacturing company Mattel.
Matt Jacobi and Nick Caprio were planning on buying their eight-year-old niece Natalie a birthday present that was connected to their upcoming wedding, where Natalie and her four-year-old sister Coco will be flower girls.
However, after looking for options they eventually stumbled upon a Barbie wedding set that had two flower girls, a cake and a groom but there was a bride.
Telling Out Magazine, Jacobi said: “We thought, why don’t we customise it and do our own thing.”
The couple then bought another Ken doll in a tuxedo and place him in the wedding set in place of the Barbie bride.
“She [Natalie] opened it and said, ‘It looks just like you guys, I love it!’, Jacobi added.
Jacobi then took to Instagram to post the image of their homemade set and tagged toy brand Mattel in the post.
They wrote: “Hi @mattel! Happy Holidays.
“We had a difficult time finding a same sex wedding set to give to my niece for her 8th birthday. She and her little sister are flower girls in our upcoming May wedding.
“We thought it would be special to give her something with a little meaning behind it. What a bummer you don’t make one with two grooms.
“Anyway, we had to get creative and make a couple purchases. I hope our custom gift inspires you to make a #GayWedding set!”
After his post, Mattel contacted him and invited Jacobi to meet with their design team after the festive season.
Jacobi continued to Out: “I’d like them to create a same-sex wedding set to have available for families of all kinds, and create something that’s missing in the marketplace.
“It’s about time that Mattel connects with what’s happening in our culture and what’s happening in the world.
“My nieces only know that only Uncle Matt loves Uncle Nick and Uncle Nick loves Uncle Matt.
“Kids are taught to hate, they’re taught to have negative feelings about those who don’t fit the social norm.
“It’s time that we bring positive examples into the commercial market… toys are tools for teaching.”