The library apologized, but a promo for the event clearly showed a grown adult in a rainbow monkey costume with a swinging phallus between their legs.
A man dressed in a rainbow monkey costume with his butt exposed and a large dildo hanging between his legs, was part of an event to encourage kids to read.
The Redbridge Libraries Summer Reading Challenge left parents confused and outraged after the rainbow monkey man in a buttless suit was brought in to promote literacy and the summer reaching challenge to kids, the dildo swinging freely from his genital area.
A clip of the promotion could be found online.
Man in buttless, rainbow monkey costume with large dildo between his legs dances to promote literacy for kids outside Redbridge Library in East London, England. pic.twitter.com/Y88LJorEbF
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial)
"Someone needs to lose their job over this," one parent said. While another was shocked, saying "This is unbelievable. Have we completely lost our moral compass as a society?"
The library did apologize, but not after photos and a video emerged online showing the furry, pornographic creature in the library dancing around.
let the rainbow dildo butt monkey teach your kids, bigot pic.twitter.com/LGPrtfF4OC
— Tim Pool (@Timcast)
In one photo, the man can be seen exposing his butt while seemingly twerking on a bench.
Can a word capture the spirit of an age? Images certainly can. 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. pic.twitter.com/rleD1rQoR4
— Dr Jane Harris (@blablafishcakes)
The library's apology came shortly after a backlash erupted online. They wrote that "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."
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)
They went on to say that a statement would be made, and that it would "never happen again."
3/3 happen again.
— Redbridge Libraries (@RedbridgeLibs)
However, when they promoted the event, they were shameless about it. They said that the "Medelsome Monkey" made a visit to the Goodmayes Library along with Royal Strawberry and Flamboyant Frog, and that these characters would soon "head your way."
Another library commented on that post, saying that it "was a shock when the monkey turned around." To which the Redbridge Library replied, even more shockingly, "I know...monkey's out of control," with a laughing emoji. "But when you've got it, flaunt it, I supposed."
The reading challenge was for kids aged 4-14.
The arts group, Mandinga Arts, also apologized, saying that they "apologise for the offence caused while raising awareness of the reading campaign by Redbridge Libraries on 10 July."
"We never intended to offend residents," they said of the man in the monkey costume who swung his dildo around both inside the library and outside as part of the promotion.
"We respect everyone's individual opinion with no offence to any part. Actions are being taken, more information to follow."
We apologise for the offence caused while raising awareness of the reading campaign by Redbridge Libraries on 10 July. We never intended to offend residents. We respect everyone's individual opinion with no offence to any part. Actions are being taken, more information to follow.
— Mandinga Arts (@Mandinga_Arts1)
The arts group lists themselves as on which "creates extraordinary & innovative outdoor costumes, floats and processions drawing on European,Latin American and African traditions." On Monday, their website appeared to be down.
The promo for the event clearly showed a grown adult in a rainbow monkey costume with a swinging phallus between their legs. It seems clear that everyone involved in planning the event knew full well that a man in a buttless, rainbow monkey costume would be employed to swing his phallus around to help promote children's literacy.
The library also featured a drag queen story hour event earlier this year.
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They did a drag queen story hour at the library earlier this year https://t.co/AbXVQCgj1Z
— ripx4nutmeg (@ripx4nutmeg)
The launch day for the Redbridge Summer Reading Challenge was July 10.
Do you love #Reading? Are you aged between 4-11 Years? Why not try out the Summer Reading Challenge, taking place on Saturday 10 July! Check out our youtube video and find out more: https://t.co/fAulNyD6gT @RedbridgeLibs #SummerReadingChallenge #Familyfun #Summer2021 #Libraries
— Do More in Redbridge (@DoMoreRed)
