PEN America Condemns “Grotesque” Sentencing of Saudi Student to 34 Years in Prison for Her Tweets
PEN America condemns the imprisonment of Salma Al-Shehab, who was sentenced to 34 years in prison for her Twitter activity. More
PRESS BRIEFING: Mon., 7/11 in DC: Middle East Dissidents and Human Rights Defenders Speak Out Ahead of President Biden’s Trip
MEDIA ADVISORY for Monday, July 11 at 2:30 PM ET (WASHINGTON)--On Monday, July 11 at 2:30 PM ET, dissidents and human rights defenders from the Middle East and Members… More
Fears for Safety of Exiled Iranian Singer and Poet as She Travels to Genoa for Poetry Festival
“At only 26 years old, Sahar is an incredibly talented and courageous artist and activist who has dared to use her voice to call for peace and advocate for… More
PEN America Reacts to DarkMatter Lawsuit
“Al-Hathloul’s suit is a courageous contribution to establishing that accountability and our collective safety." More
Communication to the UN Commission on the Status of Women on the Persecution of Iranian Women’s Rights Defenders
We joined Iranian human rights organizations to alert the UN CSW to the persecution and prosecution of women human rights defenders in Iran. More
Marching Forward: A Women’s History Month Reading List
As we mark the history of women’s contributions and achievements, we hope you’ll be inspired by this reading list to seek out even more stories of women’s experiences. More
Loujain Al-Hathloul Sentenced in Sham Saudi Trial
“The conviction of Loujain Al-Hathloul is a blatant attack on the most basic human rights of all people—particularly women—living in Saudi Arabia." More
As Saudia Arabia Hosts W20 Summit, Women’s Rights Activists Remain Imprisoned
"The cruel and unjust incarceration that women such as Loujain Al-Hathloul and Nasrin Sotoudeh face represent the harrowing experiences of many others detained in the prisons of Saudi Arabia… More
The PEN Pod: Elevating Women’s Voices with Emily Ramshaw
“We’re working to level [the] playing field by providing a place where the stories that most deeply affect women’s lives are the main course and not a side dish.” More
PEN America Echoes Congressional Call Demanding Saudi Action on Imprisoned Women’s Rights Activists
"Ignoring multiple efforts by leading members of Congress to discuss the legal status and confinement conditions of these women is a disturbing development in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing quest to… More
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PEN America On 
Literary royalty at @MilesCollege tonight with Birmingham native and National Book Award winner @imaniperry and @ALPoetLaureate Ashley M. Jones with support from @thankyou_bham. Inspiring evening. https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1618636171751342081
Not enough words for the eloquence and generosity of @imaniperry in person. (And her laugh, her laughter, her smile—luminous.) ✨Do so wish I’d captured the image of @ALPoetLaureate’s purple sequins glimmering in the drizzle near a street lamp at @MilesCollege tonight.
NEW today: lawmakers in at least 8 states have recently introduced bills targeting #DragShows
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/02/01/ban-drag-shows-analysis-finds-bills-targeting-them-8-states/11150196002/
This comes as all- age drag shows have become a flashpoint in America’s culture wars: