Stand for inclusion

To the editor:

Upon learning about the high school student being required to paint over a personalized parking space, I am moved to suggest, “Welcome to the 21st Century, Marion!”

The reality is that LGBT high school students have been among Marion High School student bodies for decades. It is high time for the Marion populace to embrace this cohort of young folk with true Christian compassion, thus acknowledging and welcoming their presence.

To not do so will clarify a profile of Marion that should be an embarrassment, characterizing the community as seriously lagging behind current social norms.

More importantly, the student(s) suffering this blatant discrimination will experience undeserved harm.

This is the time for local residents to take a positive public stance in favor of inclusion; silence or opposition to this student’s basic civil rights is simply wrong.

John H. Wilson
Wichita and Marion County Lake