Pennsylvania board's cancellation of gay actor's school visit ill-advised, education leaders say

FILE - Actor Maulik Pancholy attends the premiere of"Trishna" during the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, April 27, 2012 in New York. A Pennsylvania school board's cancellation of an upcoming appearance by actor and childrens book author Maulik Pancholy was ill-advised and sends a hurtful message, especially to the LGBTQ+ community, education officials said in a letter Thursday, April 18, 2024.

District Superintendent Mark Blanchard and nine other senior leaders — including assistant superintendents and district-level directors of technology, curriculum, legal affairs, human resources, student services and special education — sent a letter to the board, faculty and staff on Thursday asserting that Pancholy's speech should have been allowed. Pancholy's representatives shared a copy of the letter with The Associated Press.

The administrators added that the school board's decision had"significant ramifications for our school community, especially for our students and staff who are members of the LGBTQ+ community.” They also noted that the actor's sexual identity was cited as a factor in the decision, meaning"Mr. Pancholy’s personhood was reduced to a single aspect, and his ability to communicate a message of anti-bullying and hate was discredited.

The school board's vote to cancel Pancholy's appearance also 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.posted on social media this week, Pancholy said his school visits are meant “to let all young people know that they’re seen.

Source: Education Headlines (educationheadlines.net)

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