Settlement Allows Teachers to Discuss Sexual Orientation in Florida Classrooms
“This is a step in the right direction, but the fight against this dangerous law continues-- learning about diverse families should not be off-limits in Florida schools,” said Katie… More
Censorship Proposals Largely Fail in the Florida Legislature
“Floridians fought hard for these victories. This is the product of parents, students, teachers, grassroots organizations, and legislators deciding that Florida has had enough state censorship." More
PEN America Warns of Likely Legal Challenges to Bill Putting Restrictions on Social Media Use by Young People
Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America Florida, said: “Governor DeSantis has voiced concerns about this measure in the past, vetoing the first version of this bill, HB1. The changes… More
PEN America: Passage of Teacher Training Bill by Florida Senate is a Giant Leap in the Wrong Direction
Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America Florida, said: “HB 1291 is nothing but an educational gag order that muzzles professors on ideas and concepts at both public and private… More
Songwriting Legend Paul Simon to be Honored at PEN America’s Spring Literary Gala in New York City
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said: “Paul Simon has inspired fans worldwide with lyrics and songs that entire generations know by heart and can recognize from the very first… More
PEN America Applauds 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling Affirming Injunction of Florida’s Stop WOKE Act
Elly Brinkley, staff attorney with PEN America, said: “We are gratified that the court recognized that government should have no role in deciding how employers can or should limit… More
Free Speech and Other Organizations Urge Florida Lawmakers to Oppose Bill Banning Youth from Social Media
We know social media sites can present significant risks to minors, but the state’s response to such risks should be tailored to minimize harm, not passing measures that violate… More
PEN America Condemns Harsh Sentencing of Grammy-Winning Iranian Singer
PEN America strongly condemns the sentencing of Grammy-winning Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour to three years and eight months in prison. More
PEN America Calls on S.C. Library to Reverse Restriction on Books about Transgender Subjects
Kasey Meehan, Freedom to Read program director at PEN America, said the board should reverse its decision, which she said was based on “viewpoint discrimination” and noted that book… More
PEN America Condemns UC Berkeley Protests that Turned Violent, with Reported Antisemitic Bigotry
“The violent protests and reports of antisemitic bigotry that led to the event cancellation are abhorrent,” said Jonathan Friedman, director of free expression and education programs at PEN America.… More