PEN America’s Post

Victory for Freedom to Read in Florida, As Escambia County Returns 24 Restricted Books to School Library Shelves. https://lnkd.in/e6ejVFjg

Course cancellations at Florida International University signal "a harmful and discriminatory continuation of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ‘culture war’ playing out on our college campuses," says Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America’s Florida office. https://lnkd.in/ey_xBi5P

In Florida, educators have reportedly been told not to teach about critical concepts in sexual education, to use words like consent, abuse, domestic violence, gender identity and “fluids,” or to show students diagrams of human reproductive anatomy or images of contraceptives. Florida's HB 1069 mandated districts to use the state’s textbooks or submit their own curricula for approval, with the directive that the content be abstinence-only and emphasize “the benefits of monogamous heterosexual marriage.” Last year, some districts in Florida canceled their sexual health education as a result of confusion around the law. “The Florida government continues to engage in educational censorship that infringes on Florida students’ freedom to learn,” said our Florida Director Katie Blankenship. “Florida parents already have the right to opt their children out of sexual health education, and just as most parents support students’ full access to school libraries, the majority of parents support comprehensive sexual health education. Instead of supporting all of our state’s families, the DeSantis administration is continuing to sow chaos in schools and harm students, manipulating already confusing legislation to deprive young people of critical information about puberty, sexual health and healthy relationships.” Read more at: https://lnkd.in/eA2rsyTA

Four years ago today, Vietnamese authorities unjustly arrested author and journalist Pham Doan Trang. For her prolific writing and human rights advocacy, she was sentenced to 9 years in prison. PEN America continues to call on Vietnam to immediately release Trang from prison. Support Pham Doan Trang by writing her letter in solidarity. Call for Trang’s release and show that she is not alone. Post your letter online with #WriteToTrang, tag @the-vietnamese-magazine, and send it directly to her. #FreeTrang How to send a letter to Trang: https://lnkd.in/evWy9QkT

Aspiring L.A.-based writers! Join the December cohort of the PEN America Emerging Voices Workshop in Los Angeles. Applications open now until the new deadline – Oct. 12th! https://lnkd.in/gEBTx2_M

This #BannedBooksWeek, we joined with writers, readers, parents, educators, librarians, and activists across the country to defend the right to read. More: https://lnkd.in/enVUfszN

PEN America today called new rules restricting sexual health education in Florida “dangerous and Orwellian” in depriving students of critical information. https://lnkd.in/eA2rsyTA

Four billion people are scheduled to vote worldwide this year. Reporters are a vital part of this democratic process, especially during elections, but they’re under attack. Journalists and newsrooms face increasing threats like doxxing, online abuse, police raids, and arrests that make it difficult to carry out their critical work. Check out the third session of Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY's Covering Elections Series to learn more about what journalists are up against and how newsrooms can protect them, online & off. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ewcjBCb2 #electsafely