The Federal Way community would benefit from a monthly diversity section in this newspaper, according to the majority of people who responded to the Mirror’s recent online diversity survey.

Of the 59 people who replied to the 10-question survey, 62 percent, or 36 people, said the community would benefit from a diversity section, while 38 percent, or 22 people, said the community would not.

Starting in this issue, the Mirror is launching a three-month pilot project, which will include a monthly, one-page diversity section comprised of stories, columns and other media. These stories are not limited to ethnic diversity, but sociological diversity, which includes the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) community, those with disabilities and those who are the disenfranchised minority.

To assist in this project, the Mirror asked readers to complete a short survey. The survey asked respondents about their gender, race/ethnicity, age, if they identify with the LGBTQ community and whether they had disabilities.

Approximately 50 percent (29 people) of those who took the survey identify as male, while 47 percent (27 people) identify as female. One respondent also identified as a male-to-female cross-dresser and another as a trans woman. The majority of survey respondents — 32 people — described their race/ethnicity as white/caucasian, 12 as multi-racial, five people as African-American and six as various other race/ethnicities, including Asian and Pacific Islander.

Respondents’ ages ranged from youth to older than 75, with the majority of people in the age range of 45-54.

The majority of participants — 71 percent (or 41 respondents) — said they did not identify with but support the LGBTQ community. Approximately 9 percent (five people) said they do identify with this community, while 21 percent (12 people) said they do not identify with and are against the LGBTQ community.

Approximately 47 percent (27 participants) said they are not a person with disabilities and 29 percent (17 people) said they don’t have disabilities, but have family members or close friends who do. About 10 percent (six people) said they have a physical disability, 7 percent (four people) have a mental disability and 7 percent preferred not to disclose that information.

Participants were also asked whether they feel the Mirror adequately covers stories about people within the social minority (racial groups, cultures, gender, religion, sexual orientation or those with disabilities).

Nineteen people said newspaper staff adequately covers these kinds of stories.

“The Mirror provides a wide variety of stories that do seem to highlight the minority populations within Federal Way,” one participant noted.

Another said, “The current coverage is sufficient without coddling special interest groups.”

However, 17 people said the Mirror’s coverage of diverse issues is inadequate.

“No. I’d like to believe they try but where I see the largest lack of diversity is socioeconomic,” one person noted. “I am a homeowner now but Federal Way has numerous apartment residents that have a different experience and perspective. What I see in the paper are the white homeowners complaining and the voiceless minorities …”

“Not yet. Our perceived minorities lack representation in many areas,” another person said.

Several participants said they were unsure whether the Mirror’s coverage of diversity-related issues is adequate, have never thought about it or that the Mirror covers too many diverse issues.

So how can the Mirror improve its coverage of these stories?

“I think you have to have someone actually from the communities you are talking about to write the stories. As far as I know, the staff at the Mirror isn’t very diverse,” said one person.

Eight people suggested the Mirror find people from these communities to tell their stories in their own voice.

Other suggestions included for the Mirror to connect with a good cultural competency trainer, to ask people from diverse communities what issues are important to them and for staff to go out to the various churches, schools and events to learn more about others.

“Some groups are hard to engage,” a respondent said. “Have a topic listing in the paper and invite people from those groups to weigh in. Talk to public officials (they should already be leaders in this area). Search your own families. Everyone knows someone addicted to drugs, has cancer, knows interracial families, has knowledge of blended families, etc.”

The Mirror also asked participants if there are any challenges or if they have any concerns about a monthly diversity section.

Eight people were concerned that a diversity section would create an “other” mentality and several suggested the Mirror to integrate all types of news.

“It looks like segregation,” said one participant. “Integrate the news from different groups throughout the paper. My own family includes me, an older white man, my wife, a Hispanic/Asian woman and a son, who’s a mixture of both of us. Your paper should reflect the spectrum of people and interests in the city and in an integrated way.”

“I would read it, but separate is not equal,” another said. “There is no reason to separate the news into cultural articles and regular articles. My son is gay and I’m very proud of him but if he did something interesting that was part of a story in the paper, being gay would probably have nothing to do with the story. So, putting a focus on his sexuality would be unnecessary, nor would it matter what his race is. It’s people’s actions that makes the story.”

Two people said they were concerned about the challenge of who is writing the section and ensuring “that it is accurate and reflective of the interests shared and it doesn’t come from an us versus them mentality, it’s about bridging respect and understanding.”

Another respondent recommended the Mirror ensure the section is a celebration of diversity in Federal Way — a huge strength for the city.

“While systemic bias should be covered and we all need to do a better job at inclusion, this is a chance to highlight stories of success as well.”

“Please do this,” said a responder. “I am a person of color who moved here from a Seattle residency of over 40 years. I feel so isolated – there are great people here, but they know very little about anything else other than their own circumstances. Little worldview or understanding!”