Educational Gag Orders Target Speech about LGBTQ+ Identities With New Prohibitions and Punishments
The effort to censor anti-LGBTQ identities in the classroom is expanding rapidly. More
In Higher Education, New Educational Gag Orders Would Exert Unprecedented Control Over College Teaching
In 2022, educational gag orders are being aimed squarely at colleges and universities to exert ideological control over what is being taught and read in classrooms. More
Steep Rise in Gag Orders, Many Sloppily Drafted
Over the last three weeks, 65 bills have been formally introduced in state legislatures across the country, a rate of roughly three bills per day. More
New Stop W.O.K.E. Act Fits Disturbing Pattern in Education Culture War
Governor DeSantis’s Stop W.O.K.E. Act, while undoubtedly aggressive, is no aberration. On the contrary, it is increasingly—and disturbingly—business as usual. More
Scope and Speed of Educational Gag Orders Worsening Across the Country
In the month since the release of our report, educational gag orders have grown more sweeping in scope and become law with increasing speed. More
The PEN Pod: On Making a Safer Internet with Suzanne Nossel
“Things like disinformation, online harassment. . . people feel that they are worse because of the small number of platforms that control so much content.” More
The PEN Pod: What to Expect in the Final Days Before the Election with Suzanne Nossel
“It’s going to be extremely important for people to remain patient, not to jump the gun or jump to conclusions.” More
The PEN Pod: On the Science of Belief with Yaa Gyasi
“There has been a lot of backlash against science and a lot of distrust. . . I hope that this book adds to that conversation.” More
The PEN Pod: Creating Inner Worlds with Deborah Feldman
“Use this opportunity to learn to create this rich inner self and this inner world, because later. . . those skills will remain very valuable.” More
DARE: Tillerson Says Leaders Who ‘Conceal the Truth’ Risk Freedom
Ex-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson criticizes Trump's deceit as a threat to democracy. Senate takes key step to reverse FCC repeal of net neutrality, setting stage for House showdown.… More
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Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
I really liked this #BannedBooksWeek display in the Teen Area. The display includes a printout of the full latest PEN America report: https://pen.org/report/banned-usa-growing-movement-to-censor-books-in-schools/
Our recent #BannedInTheUSA report found that nearly 1/2 banned titles were #YA books, but bans also included 317 picture books and 168 chapter books.
96% of bans were enacted without following the best practice guidelines outlined by @ALALibrary and @ncacensorship. #BannedBooks
“Young people of the world are my children, and I think we should all think that way.”
We think author @BenjaminASaenz may actually have the secrets of the universe. #VelshiBannedBookClub #Velshi
http://ow.ly/ouSN50KZ9Ph