Openly gay actor Maulik Pancholy, was disinvited from speaking in Mountain View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and the reason behind this action was the actors “Lifestyle”, and also because he is an activist.
Maulik Pancholy, who played the character Jonathan, Alex Baldwin’s devoted assistant, in the sitcom “30 Rock,” and also voiced the character Baljeet in “Phineas and Ferb,” was scheduled to make an appearance in the middle school on 15th april to deliver a speech based on anti bullying.
But, the school board held a meeting and decided to disinvite Pancholy.
“If you research this individual, he labels himself as an activist, he is proud of his lifestyle and I don’t think that should be imposed upon our students at any age,” board member Bud Shaffner said at the meeting, where the decision of disinviting Pancholy was made.
This is very absurd, an institute where children should learn how to be tolerant towards everyone, and the basis of one’s sexuality. Here, the board Is being homophobic towards an individual.
To reply Shaffner Pancholy said in his instagram that, “When I visit schools, my ‘activism’ is to let all young people know that they’re seen. To let them know that they matter. When I talk about the characters in my books feeling ‘different,’ I’m always surprised by how many young people raise their hands — regardless of their identities and backgrounds — wanting to share about the ways in which they, too, feel different.”
The board was afraid that he won’t be speaking about his book “The Best at It” which portrays a gay Indian American Boy, and talk about it rather he has this ability to turn the talk into a political one.
The decision was made based on 8-0 votes.
Another board member Kelly Potteiger raised concerns, she said, “It’s not discriminating against his lifestyle, that’s his choice. But it’s him speaking about it.”
Based on this decision, many students expressed how deeply disappointed they are, in their opinion through Pancholy’s books they felt heard, and this homophobic decision was not expected from the authority.
A group of students raised their voices and said to the authority that the assembly should be allowed.
