No, drag queen story hour is not the final frontier in entertainment for toddlers at public libraries. Just when you thought a visit to the stacks with the preschoolers in tow couldn’t get any more kinky, a London library has made headlines after a costumed character called the Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey appeared Saturday at an event designed to persuade the tykes that reading is fun.
The Evening Standard reports that an “actor dressed in a bare-bottomed monkey costume with a fake penis” appeared at Goodmayes Library in East London. The actor was evidently commissioned by a local arts group. But when the monkey went outside the library and bent over, baring all, parents became horrified. One is quoted as having said, “Someone needs to lose their job over this,” while another commented, “This is unbelievable. Have we completely lost our moral compass as a society?”
Has Ahmed, a conservative running for local office, agreed, tweeting:
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
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
Redbridge Libraries, which oversees Goodmayes, responded:
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) July 10, 2021
