Current location:world >>
Gay 30 Rock actor Maulik Pancholy is canceled from anti
world1121People have gathered around
IntroductionA Pennsylvania school board reportedly canceled an anti-bullying talk by 30 Rock actor Maulik Pancho ...
A Pennsylvania school board reportedly canceled an anti-bullying talk by 30 Rock actor Maulik Pancholy over his sexual orientation.
The Cumberland Valley School District school board on Monday unanimously voted to cancel the talk at Mountain View Middle School by Pancholy, who is openly gay, citing concerns about his 'lifestyle' and activism.
Pancholy, 48, who played Alec Baldwin’s assistant on NBC's 30 Rock, has written various children's books, including one about a gay Indian American boy forced to deal with bullying in a small town.
Some board members voiced concerns and others noted the district’s policy about not hosting overtly political events, news outlets reported. The policy was enacted after the district was criticized for hosting a rally by Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign for president.
Pancholy’s appearance at the school in Cumberland County was scheduled by the school’s leadership team, which each year selects an author to present a 'unique educational experience for students,' according to the district.
A Pennsylvania school board reportedly canceled an anti-bullying talk by 30 Rock actor Maulik Pancholy over his sexual orientation
The Cumberland Valley School District school board on Monday unanimously voted to cancel the talk by Pancholy, who is openly gay, citing concerns about his 'lifestyle' and activism
While discussing the appearance at Monday night’s meeting, school board members said they did not know what Pancholy’s talk would be about, but one member said he didn’t 'want to run the risk' of what it might entail.
'If you research this individual, he labels himself as an activist,' Bud Shaffner said, according to Pennlive. 'He is proud of his lifestyle, and I don’t think that should be imposed upon our students, at any age.'
Board member Kelly Potteiger, who is also part of the right-wing Moms for Liberty group, said: 'Again, it’s not discriminating against his lifestyle, that’s his choice, but it’s him speaking about it.
'He did say that that’s not the topic, but that’s what his books are about.'
The board’s vote sparked criticism from several parents, students and community members who called the decision “homophobic.” Some have started online petitions urging that Pancholy’s appearance be reinstated.
In a statement posted on social media, Pancholy said that as a middle school student he never saw himself represented in stories, and that books featuring South Asian-American or LGBTQ+ characters 'didn’t exist.' When he started writing his own novels years later, he was still hard-pressed to find those stories, he said.
'If you research this individual, he labels himself as an activist,' Bud Shaffner said. 'He is proud of his lifestyle, and I don’t think that should be imposed upon our students, at any age'
Board member Kelly Potteiger, also part of the right-wing Moms for Liberty group, said: 'Again, it’s not discriminating against his lifestyle, that’s his choice, but it’s him speaking about it'
'It’s why I wrote my books in the first place,' Pancholy wrote. 'Because representation matters.'
Pancholy said his school visits are meant 'to let all young people know that they’re seen. To let them know that they matter.'
When he talks about his characters feeling 'different,' he said he is always surprised by how many children of various identities and backgrounds want to share how they feel different too.
'That’s the power of books. They build empathy,' Pancholy wrote. 'I wonder why a school board is so afraid of that?'
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Sphere news portal”。http://www.havadist.com/tag/ay-inanmiyorum-kanali
Related articles
Man United overhaul under Ratcliffe extends to new technical director
worldMANCHESTER, England (AP) — British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe continued his overhaul at Manchester Un ...
【world】
Read moreNew Climate Change Minister Simon Watts not expecting criticism at COP28 over fossil fuels U
worldPeople walk past a COP28 logo ahead of the United Nations climate summit in Dubai on 28 November 28, ...
【world】
Read moreTeens arrested after petrol station, vape shop burglaries
worldPhoto: RNZ / Angus Dreaver ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
- Lacazette ready to play for Lyon against PSG after face injury
- Judith Collins picks up raft of ministerial positions in new government
- Neighbours heard gunshots, 'commotion' in Auckland kidnapping
- 'More than safe passage, a destination'
- Iris Law puts on a very leggy display as she steps out wearing tiny grey shorts in West Hollywood
- Electoral Commission probes concerns about voting at Te Pāti Māori candidate's marae
Latest articles
Italy earns 5th Champions League spot for next season because of overall success in Europe
Watch: PM Christopher Luxon announces building products shake
Large blaze at Auckland scrap metal site contained
Chiefs crush Moana 68
Olympic organizers unveil strategy for using artificial intelligence in sports
Dozens of jobs set to be axed at Commerce Commission
LINKS
- Michael King's no
- Asian Americans more likely to believe in climate change: AP
- Mother who promised Taylor Swift tickets to her daughter to celebrate finishing her A
- Alabama lawmakers advance bills to ensure Joe Biden is on the state's ballot
- Hundreds pay tribute to police officer shot dead 40 years ago from inside Libya's UK embassy
- What is cloud seeding? Step
- Supreme Court makes it easier to sue for job discrimination over forced transfers
- Gujarat crashes to 89 all out against Delhi, loses IPL game by 6 wickets at home
- Sweeping gun legislation awaits final votes as Maine lawmakers near adjournment
- Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai producing. An election nigh. ‘Suffs’ has timing on its side