LAST WORD
PHOTO FINISH Gay Bob doll (circa 1977)
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omplete with plaid shirt, cowboy boots, gold chain necklace, murse, and a single blue earring, Gay Bob was considered the ‘world’s first gay doll’. Anatomically correct – we have SEEN THE PROOF – and, to modern eyes, a tad cliched, he was created by inventor Harvey Rosenberg, who described his plastic brainchild as looking like “a cross between Paul Newman and Robert Redford”. Bob’s box doubled as a cardboard closet full of illustrated clothing and accessories should he tire of this particular Village People vibe. It also meant he could come out – literally – as many times as he wanted. His manifesto read something like
this: “Hi boys, girls, and grownups. I bet you are wondering why I come packed in a closet. ‘Coming out of the closet’ is an expression which means that you admit the truth about yourself, and are no longer ashamed of what you are.” He continued: “Gay people are no different than straight people. If everyone came ‘out of their closets’ there wouldn’t be so many angry, frustrated, frightened people. Remember, if Gay Bob has the courage to come out his closet, so can you.” Although he was enormously controversial at the time, he soon had a new breed of queer playthings muscling in on his territory. But we’d dearly love to see the original and best in the flesh, as it were. If anyone in Hell’s Kitchen is the proud owner of a Gay Bob, please email news@w42st.com.
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COPYRIGHT: HARVEY ROSENBERG INC THANKS TO THE MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
“Harvey Rosenberg described his plastic brainchild as looking like ‘a cross between Paul Newman and Robert Redford.’”