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Parent Outraged as School Board Cancels Anti-Bullying Talk by Gay Actor
**Parent** of a middle school student is fighting back after the Cumberland Valley School Board canceled an assembly featuring openly gay actor Maulik Pancholy, who was scheduled to speak on anti-bullying. The decision has sparked controversy and a change.org petition demanding Pancholy’s reinstatement.
Quick Facts
- Former parent protests cancellation of anti-bullying assembly featuring gay actor.
- Board members cited concerns over the actor’s “lifestyle” as the reason for the cancellation.
- Change.org petition launched to reinstate Pancholy for the assembly.
The former parent, Trisha Comstock, expressed deep disappointment over the board’s decision to cancel the assembly at Mountain View Middle School in Pennsylvania. Pancholy was set to discuss empathy, anti-bullying, and his authored books. However, during a public meeting, two board members raised concerns about his “lifestyle,” leading to the unanimous decision to overturn the appearance.
In a change.org petition, Comstock highlighted that Pancholy’s talk was intended to address important issues such as empathy and anti-bullying. However, the board’s decision to cancel the assembly has been met with criticism, with Comstock describing it as homophobic and potentially harmful to students.
During the board meeting, a member expressed reservations about Pancholy discussing his children’s book, The Best at It, which features a gay Indian American boy coming into his own. The board members’ concerns were centered around Pancholy’s self-identification as an activist and his political involvement, which they felt was inappropriate for a school assembly.
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