Gay ken doll from the 90s

How Barbie's Boyfriend Ken Became an Accidental Gay Icon

The true story of Mattel accidentally releasing a super gay

Earring Magic Ken, also known as " Gay Ken " and " Fey Ken ", [1] is a model of the Ken doll introduced by Mattel in as a companion to its Earring Magic Barbie figure, one of five dolls in the Earring Magic Barbie line. [2][3] The doll is notable for inspiring a toy craze among gay men (including some claims that it was the highest selling Ken doll of all time) and for the controversy. Remember when Mattel accidentally made a super gay Ken doll? We do.

Gay History

Mattel has been manufacturing its Barbie dolls since Shortly thereafter, it began producing dolls of Barbie's boyfriend, Ken. Girls really liked Barbie, and the doll became a certifiable cultural force, but Ken dolls never sold as well. In an effort to increase sales of Ken dolls in the early '90s, Mattel's research department worked with a group of 5-year-old girls to find out what. A style icon created by Mattel. Everyone knows who she is.
Earring Magic Ken

How Barbie's Boyfriend Ken Became an Accidental Gay Icon

The doll was called Earring Magic Ken, which is the absolute best name for an accidentally gay doll. And he is every ’90s queer stereotype in a chiseled hunk of plastic. So Ryan Gosling recently stunned the world with his Ken look for the live-action Barbie movie and depending on how you see it, this may or may not be your worse nightmare. Barbie was at the height of her popularity in the early s.

That time Mattel accidentally made Ken gay

For decades Mattel has struggled to sell Ken dolls to little girls who’ve repeatedly had to explain to baffled Mattel executives that they simply don’t think he looks cool. When Mattel tried to address this in the 90’s they inadvertently made him look super gay. Much to amusement of the gay community. First released in at a New York Toy Fair, Barbie was created by Ruth Handler as an alternative to the mom and housewife-themed dolls that dominated the market at the time. The industry was less than enthusiastic about Barbie upon her debut, and experts doubted the doll would enjoy any long-term success — but Handler proved them all wrong.

Vintage

As gay author and journalist Dan Savage explains in a column about the doll from , in the late ’80s and early ’90s, besides being a sex toy, a cock ring was the queer fashion statement of the time. Mattel has been manufacturing its Barbie dolls since Shortly thereafter, it began producing dolls of Barbie's boyfriend, Ken.

gay ken doll from the 90s

Earring Magic Ken

Over the last 64 years, Barbie and Ken have endured their share of scandals. Here, some of the most controversial dolls to ever hit toy stores. .

Magic Earring Ken

Regardless, Magic Earring Ken became an overnight sensation. Gay men rushed to stores, buying up the doll in droves—finally, a Ken who looked like them. But backlash quickly followed. Parents weren’t thrilled about the sex toy accessories. .

8 Most Controversial Barbie & Ken Dolls In History

Discontinued Vintage Gay Ken Doll “Earring Magic Ken”- Original box Best selling Ken Doll in history!! Earring Magic Ken was only available for six months in The doll was called Earring Magic Ken, which is the absolute best name for an accidentally gay doll. He is every ’90s queer stereotype. .