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Florida High School Activist Jack Petocz, Organizer of Protests Against Book Bans and “Don’t Say Gay” Bill, Honored with 2022 PEN/Benenson Courage Award

Press ReleaseMay 24, 2022

Asia Kate Dillon said: “I hear from young people that seeing my character on Billions has helped them understand their own gender identity – and that this allowed them… More

Disciplinary Action Against Florida Student Jack Petocz for ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Protests Called “Unconscionable”

Press ReleaseMay 17, 2022

"By going back on their word and imposing a red mark on Jack Petocz's disciplinary record, the Flagler Palm Coast High School administration appears bent on retaliating against him… More

PEN America to Honor Florida High School Activist Jack Petocz for Organizing Book Ban and ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Protests Statewide

Press ReleaseApril 27, 2022

PEN America Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Nossel said, “The state of Florida has declared war on free speech through a series of measures aimed squarely to suppress expression. Jack… More

Statement: Florida Rejection of Math Textbooks Raises Question Over Whether Politics Guided Decision

Press ReleaseApril 18, 2022

"The Florida Department of Education's rejection of 41 percent of math textbooks submitted to the state--including 71 percent of textbooks for grades K-5-- on the grounds that they include… More

waving pride flag

‘Alarming’ Suspension of Florida Student for Organizing Rally Against ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill

Press ReleaseMarch 3, 2022

This comes as Florida moves to ban discussions of LGBTQ+ identities in schools, and books about LGBTQ+ lives are being removed from Florida's school library shelves. Petocz's efforts to… More

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penamerica PEN America @penamerica ·
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As reporters respond to the tragic shooting in Nashville, @Poynter⁩ offers some valuable tips for careful reporting that can help counter the spread of confusion or falsehoods. https://www.poynter.org/ethics-trust/2023/covenant-school-shooting-nashville-trans-manifesto-gender-identity/

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penamerica PEN America @penamerica ·
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Listen to @rhorton4 discuss transitioning home as a writer on @PAC_CSU's Outside:Inside radio Friday, March 31 12pm ET on @kspc http://kspc.org

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penamerica PEN America @penamerica ·
4h

"It's OK for a parent to decide whether or not a book is appropriate for their own child. But it's not appropriate for that same parent to make that same decision for your child," @jodipicoult tells @GioBenitez and @KaynaWhitworth on @ABCGMA3. https://abcnews.go.com/US/author-jodi-picoult-denounces-book-bans-after-florida/story?id=98151365 (1/2)

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