- A London library is apologizing for bringing in a “Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey” to entertain children.
- Redbridge Libraries hosted Mandinga Arts Group at a Redbridge Libraries Summer Reading Challenge event Saturday in east London where video footage posted on social media shows a number of performers outside the event, according to the Evening Standard.
- One of the performers was dressed in a rainbow monkey costume exposing a fake buttocks and a fake penis.
A London library is apologizing for hosting an event where an actor described as a “Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey” reportedly entertained children.
Redbridge Libraries hosted the Mandinga Arts Group at a Redbridge Libraries Summer Reading Challenge event Saturday in east London, the Evening Standard reported. Video footage and photographs posted on social media shows a number of performers outside the event, including an individual dressed in a rainbow monkey costume exposing a fake buttocks and a fake penis.
It is not immediately clear who the performer was.
“Can a word capture the spirit of an age? Images certainly can,” tweeted Twitter user Dr. Jane Harris. “In future, when we think back on the zeitgeist of 2021, we may remember Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey, and wonder how on earth we descended to thinking that this was suitable entertainment for children.”
I mean how many librarian/councillor eyes had to behold the Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey before he was released into the wild to delight the children of Redbridge? pic.twitter.com/SbkDerdDZb
— Janice Turner (@VictoriaPeckham) July 11, 2021
Both Mandinga Arts and the library apologized in tweets over the weekend. Redbridge Library’s tweet distanced the library from the decision to bring the “Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey” to perform for the children. (RELATED: ‘Drag Queens In Training’: NYC Department Of Education Children’s Show Features 12 Minutes Of ‘Lil Miss Hot Mess’ Reading And Dancing)
1/2 During an event put on at the library today there was a performance by a Carnival Arts Company. Unfortunately one of the animal costumes was inappropriate which we were not aware of at the time of booking. We deeply apologise for the offence caused. This is being looked into
— Redbridge Libraries (@RedbridgeLibs) July 10, 2021
“During an event put on at the library today there was a performance by a Carnival Arts Company,” the library tweeted. (RELATED: How Drag Queen Story Hour Expanded Across America)
“Unfortunately one of the animal costumes was inappropriate which we were not aware of at the time of booking. We deeply apologise for the offence caused,” the library’s statement continued. “This is being looked into and a further statement will be made. This event was arranged by Vision and not Redbridge Council.
Upon receiving complaints passed on by the Leader and Deputy Leader, we ceibraased the performance and are truly apologetic for the distress caused to residents,” the library said. “This will never happen again.”
Mandinga Arts apologized for any “offence caused,” saying the group “never intended to offend residents.” The organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation as to who the “Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey” is.
“We respect everyone’s individual opinion with no offence to any part,” the group tweeted. “Actions are being taken, more information to follow.”
Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure (RCL) told the Evening Standard that it was “utterly appalled by the unacceptable event at Redbridge Libraries on Saturday” and said that it was organized by their “independent leisure contractor, Vision.”
The council’s leader Jas Athwal also told the Evening Standard that all future performances are cancelled.
Apparently this is meant to encourage kids in Redbridge to pick up reading for summer. Please tell me the rationale behind these indecent costumes that were shown to families and done so publicly. Is this really necessary? @Jas_Athwal @RedbridgeLive pic.twitter.com/6I8DBcmDM3
— Has Ahmed (@HasAhmed_) July 10, 2021
“The contractor had commissioned characters to support the start of the Summer Reading Challenge, but the costume in question was wholly inappropriate for the intended audience,” RCL told the publication. “A full and thorough investigation into how this incident happened has been launched and stringent action will be taken. We sincerely apologise for the offence and distress this has caused.”
The event bears similarities to Drag Queen Story Hours, which started out as niche events on the West Coast but have spread to libraries and schools across the U.S.
The official Drag Queen Story Hour website boasts over 40 independently operated chapters across the U.S., including in New York City, D.C. and Chicago, as well as international chapters in Tokyo, Australia, Europe and Mexico. (RELATED: DC Parents Bring Children As Young As 9 Months To Adams Morgan Drag Queen Story Hour)
The events are typically designed to be about 45 minutes long for children aged three to eight years old and intend to capture children’s imagination and help explore their gender fluidity through “glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models,” according to the Drag Queen Story Hour’s official website.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to accurately reflect the name of the art group hosted by Redbridge Libraries, Mandinga Arts.
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