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A love doll who is in an intimate relationship with a man has 'spoken out' in a bid to get more of her kind accepted.
Alongside her boyfriend Aussie Rod - not his real name - Karina has taken to Instagram to explain that she's on a mission to normalise and promote 'physical synthetic companions'.
Welcoming in the new year, Karina and Rod wrote: "Our primary objective is to get dolls more widely known about and accepted. I take my hat off to everyone out there putting in the work to show dolls in their best light.
"We will strive to be entertaining this coming year and if we are not tell us."
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Rod previously opened up about why he decided to bring Karina into his life, explaining he was going through a bit of a dry spell when he stumbled across love dolls online.
He told 7News of his life at the time: "Home was very empty. You get lacklustre when there's no stimulation in your life.
"I hadn't touched a girl in two years - and it all got a bit strange and distant."
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While Rod had established an online relationship with a woman at this point, the pair hadn't yet had a chance to meet, so he decided to fork out $3,000AUD on the life-sized love doll he named Karina.
Soon, he realised that there were a lot more benefits to having a love doll than just the obvious.
"All of a sudden, from emptiness, I had something that required care and maintenance and improvement in a feminine way," he said. "It was nice."
Rod and Karina subsequently found themselves a sizeable fanbase on Instagram after he began taking portrait photographs of her, and they reacted positively to the pair's New Year message about acceptance.
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One fan said he was inspired by the pair and hopes to one day introduce his love doll to his girlfriend and parents, as Rod went on to do.
"You are [an] inspiration for our community," they praised. "I hope to one day be as brave as you, and show my parents and family my girlfriend/starpery doll.
"I hope to make this transition one day, may you be blessed and have infinite love and joy."
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"Well, after 10 years with a real-life woman, I can see the appeal here!" added a second.
Meanwhile, another doll by the name of Ava replied: "Absolutely amazing work. We are proud of your achievements and the time and dedication towards our kind."
However, the internet being the internet, not everyone was a fan.
One critic slammed: "get the dolls more widely accepted? this is scary!!!! [sic]"
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You can keep up with Karina and Rod's journey on Instagram.
Topics: Sex and Relationships
Emma Guinness