A same-sex Barbie couple? It may be a reality in the near future. Mattel is reportedly in talks with an Arizona couple who wrote an open letter online requesting that the toy maker consider being more inclusive of homosexual couples in its depiction of the family unit.
Matt Jacobi and Nick Caprio are set to wed next year. The couple’s niece, Natalie, will take on the role of flower girl at the couple’s ceremony. Jacobi and Caprio thought that a good way to get little Natalie ready for the big day was by purchasing a Barbie wedding set. The toy brand, unfortunately, does not cater to same-sex couples. Jacobi and Caprio, then, decided to swap out Barbie for another Ken doll. The result was a same-sex couple getting ready to exchange nuptials.
“We have a wonderful, loving and caring Italian family,” Jacobi tells media. “Everyone is so excited for our big day, especially my two nieces. They have been talking about our wedding all year long and have been raised to understand and only know that love is love!”
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The concept of love being a universal thing is what Jacobi and Caprio hope to spread everywhere. Such is the reason why the engaged couple decided to reach out to Mattel in the form of an open letter to Mattel via Instagram.
“Hi @mattel! Happy Holidays,” the message began. “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,” the couple wrote. “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 [of] purchases. I hope our custom gift inspires you to make a #GayWedding set!”
Mattel was certainly inspired. In fact, a spokesperson for the company confirmed the brand’s request to meet with Jacobi and Caprio.
“My nieces only knows that only Uncle Matt loves Uncle Nick and Uncle Nick loves Uncle Matt,” Jacobi shared with Out magazine. “Kids are taught to hate, they’re taught to have [a] negative feeling 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.”
We will definitely keep our eyes and ears open to see how Mattel continues to embrace inclusivity!
Photo: Matt Jacobi/Instagram
