1993 Gay Ken Doll Recall

In 1993, Mattel released the Earring Magic Ken, unintentionally styled after gay club fashion trends of the time-complete with a mesh shirt, lavender vest, and a chrome ring necklace resembling a sex toy-which led to it being dubbed the "Gay Ken" by the media and LGBTQ+ community. Though Mattel quickly pulled it from shelves due to the backlash, the doll became a cultural icon and remains the best-selling Ken of all time.

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