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Laws restricting drag shows should scare everyone who believes in free expression
A wave of bills restricting free expression is building in state legislatures. This time, the target is drag performances. More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Oindrila Mukherjee
No matter where you live or where you grew up or where you were issued a passport, in the end we all experience the same emotions. My wish for… More
Bell Gale Chevigny (1936-2021): Critical Thinking and Grace
Throughout her life, Bell Gale Chevigny taught in prisons and advocated for educational opportunities for incarcerated communities. More
PEN America and PEN Sydney Join More than 170 Writers Calling for the Release of Iranian Poet Ali Asadollahi and Other Writers Imprisoned in Iran
“Since the outpouring of sustained nationwide protests against the government in September, Iran’s writers and broader creative community have been caught in the crosshairs, targeted by authorities with preventative… More
Joint statement calling for the release of unlawfully detained Iranian poets and writers
The continuing persecution and prosecution of Iranian writers constitute clear violations of their freedom of speech, and freedom of conscience, as protected by Iran’s own laws and its legal… More
Brooklyn Public Library and PEN America Teaming Up to Train High School Students to Defend Against Book Bans, Promote the Freedom to Read
Student registrants may attend as many of the four sessions as they would like, however, full attendance and participation are required to receive a certificate of professional achievement from… More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Jamila Minnicks
Writers document and correct the record, both past and present. Language is a powerful choice of weapon because it preserves our history and frames our resistance. More
National Organizations Condemn Cancellation of Student Play at Douglas Anderson School of Performing Arts in Duval County, FL
“Indecent is a critically acclaimed and award-winning 2015 play by Paula Vogel that possesses rich educational and artistic merit. It has been produced Off-Broadway, on Broadway, and has been broadcast… More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Deena Mohamed
To me, the function of speculative fiction and magical realism, the joy of inserting fantasy in mundane urban reality, is to consider the implications of how it might function… More
PEN America pays tribute to Russell Banks, a giant of letters and staunch ally
PEN America paid tribute on Monday to novelist Russell Banks, a longtime advocate of free expression and member of PEN America, who died over the weekend at age 82. More