It has been revealed that an exhibit at London's Science Museum claimed that LEGO — yes, the bricks themselves — are anti-sexual minority and promote a "heteronormative" world view.
Those who embark on the self-guided "Seeing Things Queerly" tour are told about all the ways the plastic building blocks loved by boys and girls alike for decades are somehow problematic.
According to the Daily Mail, the guide oddly suggests that like piping and "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," the guide explains, described this as "an example of applying heteronormative language to topics unrelated to gender, sex, and reproduction."
The museum provides no evidence to back up claims that anyone uses the terms "male," "female," or "mating" to describe the bricks.
Curators nonetheless maintained that 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."
The tour was put together in 2022 by a "gender and sexuality network" at the museum with the goal of "creating more visibility and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community in the Science Museum Group's museums and collection."
Per the Telegraph, the exhibit has drawn criticism from many, including women's rights non-profit group Sex Matters. Director of Advocacy Fiona McAnena described it as "completely bonkers."
"The idea that LEGO is 'heteronormative' because the blocks are described as 'male' and 'female' is ridiculous," she added.
LEGO has done more than many other companies to cater to the sexual minority crowd, introducing sets that promote sexual diversity and taking a stand in support of the cause. This appears not to have been enough to protect it from criticism.
