’30 Rock’ actor says his ‘heart goes out to the students’ after visit canceled due to ‘lifestyle’

A “30 Rock” actor said his heart goes out to students at a Pennsylvania high school after a scheduled event featuring him was canceled by the local school board.

Maulik Pancholy, who is openly gay, said in a Thursday’s Instagram post he “learned through social media that the school board of Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley School District voted 8-0 to cancel my scheduled author visit with students at Mountain View Middle School due to concerns about my ‘activism’ and what they They called it my ‘lifestyle.'”

“My heart goes out to the entire Mountain View Middle School community, and particularly the students,” said Pancholy, author of two books for children that deal with LGBTQ themes, “The Best At It” and “Nikhil Out Loud.”

In a letter dated Thursday to faculty, staff and administration that was obtained by the television station CBS 21, Cumberland Valley School District administrative offices noted a board decision “to present and subsequently unanimously approve a motion on April 15, 2024, to cancel Mr. Maulik Pancholy’s visit to Mountain View Middle School on April 22.” May 2024”.

“Without a real opportunity for the administration to answer questions and/or provide guidance, the Board made a decision that had significant ramifications for our school community, especially for our students and staff who are members of the LGBTQ community,” the letter said .

“Although the issue of ‘political activism’ was cited, statements made publicly by individual board members identified Mr. Pancholy’s sexual identity as a factor, an identity shared by many members of our school community,” the letter continues. “In doing so, Mr. Pancholy’s personality was reduced to a single aspect, and his ability to communicate a message of anti-bullying and hate was discredited.”

The Hill has reached out to members of the Cumberland Board School District School Board, Mountain View Middle School and Cumberland Board School District Superintendent Mark Blanchard for comment.

“When I visit schools, my ‘activism’ is to make sure all young people know they are seen. To let them know they are important. 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,” Pancholy said in his post. .

“That’s the power of books. They build empathy,” she added. “I wonder why the school board is so afraid of this?”