Everyone has a story.

It’s what I told readers nearly two years ago when I joined the Federal Way Mirror. It’s something I still strongly believe in to this day.

But we haven’t told everyone’s story — not even close.

It is why the Mirror is launching its first monthly diversity section in this issue, which can be found on page 14.

In it, you will find stories about Lonness Valenna, who was born intersex but forced into malehood before starting grade school, only to transition to a woman later in life.

You’ll find the results of our month-long survey that questioned readers about their own diverse backgrounds and asked for feedback as we venture forward into unknown territory. Despite concerns and apprehension from some, 62 percent of the 59 respondents said the community would benefit from a diversity section in the Mirror.

Diversity Commission Chair Greg Baruso also asks readers what the word “diversity” means to them as he shares a bit of his background and what the 20-plus year old commission does for the city of Federal Way.

The section’s intent is to give a voice to those stories that might fall by the wayside when a primarily white city government and community often make headlines.

It is not a “separate but equal” section, in the sense that we’ll stick a story about a successful community leader who happens to be Muslim, lesbian or blind in the section for the sake of it. That’s news.

Arts sections, business sections and opinion sections have a focus and this will too. This section’s intent is to be inclusive, create more awareness and be a reflection of its current community, which is comprised of so many different types of people and perspectives.

So, what is diversity? Who are considered “diverse?”

The Mirror has defined this to mean people who are not just of the ethnic minority, but of sociological diversity, which includes the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) community, those with disabilities, mentally and physically, different religions and those who are the disenfranchised minority.

According to NPR’s “Code Switch,” a team comprised of seven NPR journalists who cover race, ethnicity and culture, “the U.S. is in the midst of a big demographic shift” and soon people of color will come to comprise a majority of the country’s population.

It’s already happening in Federal Way, which used to be a predominantly white/Caucasian city. Recent statistics by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Factfinder suggest that Federal Way is shifting to half of the population as people of color in a population of 93,425 residents.

Same-sex marriage is legal nationwide and Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender woman, has her own TV show.

Yet, there’s still an imbalance of media coverage.

There needs to be steps taken. The diversity section is our first step.

But the Mirror needs your help. What is a diversity section without community input and involvement?

Send me your story ideas, invite me to community events that you wouldn’t normally invite a young white woman. Because, let’s face it — that is who I am and it can’t, nor shouldn’t, be changed. Yet, our ability to connect as a community through this newspaper can.

Share your voices — this section will be nothing if the Mirror is the sole provider of content for it. We are open to regular columns from people throughout the community openly discussing diversity-related issues — challenges, accomplishments, abstract ideas and real-life experiences that touch Federal Way.

Join the Mirror as it embraces this change.

Reporter Raechel Dawson can be reached at 253-925-5565 ext. 5056 or rdawson@federalwaymirror.com.