Literature has the power to bring people together and bridge our differences. But the voices of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ authors are overwhelmingly the targets of censorship nationwide.
Our book ban analysis revealed that:
37% of banned books feature characters of color or address race and racism.
36% of banned books highlight LGBTQ+ characters or themes, including 8% that provide insights into transgender lives.
These numbers aren't just statistics - they reflect the identities of real people in our schools and our communities. By ignoring these narratives, we risk losing empathy, understanding, and inclusivity within our communities.
You can be part of the solution! Your donation will combat censorship directly and uplift suppressed voices. Just this year, PEN America filed a federal lawsuit to challenge restrictions on books in school libraries in Escambia County, Florida. We couldn’t do any of this without your generosity, so please consider making another gift today.
