The London Science Museum has received backlash for a recent development to an exhibit displayed that attempts to reinforce the idea that Lego bricks can be gendered, upholding heterosexuality as a societal norm.
A Gender and Sexuality Network at the Science Museum created a "Seeing Things Queerly" guide in which they describe Legos as gendered due to the blocks having "male" and "female" parts, reported The Telegraph.
"Like other connectors and fasteners, Lego bricks are often described in a gendered way. 'The top of the brick with sticking out pins is male, the bottom of the brick with holes to receive the pins is female, and the process of the two sides being put together is called mating," says the guide.
"This is an example of applying heteronormative language to topics unrelated to gender, sex and reproduction," the guide continues. "It illustrates how heteronormativity (the idea that heterosexuality and the male/female gender binary are the norm and everything that falls outside is unusual) shapes the way we speak about science, technology, and the world in general."
These claims have caused the Science Museum to become the subject of criticism as there is no evidence or source provided indicating that the creators or users of Lego products consider the toy to be gendered, or that placing bricks together is referred to as "mating".
"The Science Museum's self-guided trail on all things 'queer' is completely bonkers, and includes some absurd claims," said Fiona McAnena, director of advocacy at Sex Matters charity. "The idea that Lego is 'heteronormative' because the blocks are described as 'male' and 'female' is ridiculous."
"Children who play with Lego don't need to be told that some people say fitting Lego blocks together is 'mating,'" she continued. "People expect to be informed, educated and inspired when visiting the Science Museum, not to have dubious claims rooted in gender ideology forced on them."
Though the guide was published by the museum years ago, its comments on the nature of Legos and how they relate to heteronormativity were recently picked up by publications and critics who found the Science Museum's assertions to be "absurd."
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