Your current location:HOME >world >Gay 30 Rock actor Maulik Pancholy is canceled from anti 正文
TIME:2024-04-20 06:21:52 Source: Internet compilationEdit:world
A 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?'
Man United overhaul under Ratcliffe extends to new technical director2024-04-20 06:19
China's Qinghai ends second2024-04-20 06:08
Qinghai affected by Gansu earthquake, mobilizes multiple personnel2024-04-20 06:06
External power supply project of Chizhou2024-04-20 04:59
Ruud advances to Barcelona semis after beating Arnaldi in straight sets2024-04-20 04:44
Prefab houses for quake2024-04-20 04:39
Emergency authorities discourage ‘one2024-04-20 04:25
Over 1,900 criminal rings busted as China intensifies crackdown on gang crimes2024-04-20 04:22
Iris Law puts on a very leggy display as she steps out wearing tiny grey shorts in West Hollywood2024-04-20 04:01
Conference highlights human rights advancement in Xinjiang2024-04-20 03:53
Ed Westwick puts on a dapper display as he steps out with stunning fiancée Amy Jackson for star2024-04-20 06:03
Social media star revives interest in ancient Chinese writing2024-04-20 05:41
China records its first use of terrestrial cable for power transmission between islands2024-04-20 05:34
Former ICBC discipline chief arrested for suspected bribery2024-04-20 05:21
Rita Ora flashes some cleavage in a scoop2024-04-20 05:04
External power supply project of Chizhou2024-04-20 04:50
Lee hails competitive HK vote2024-04-20 04:35
Conference highlights human rights advancement in Xinjiang2024-04-20 04:18
Taylor Swift channels her bridal Grammy look in Fortnight video teaser2024-04-20 04:14
Embroidery cooperative dedicated to inheritance of Kirgiz embroidery in NW China's Xinjiang2024-04-20 03:37