Editor’s Note:  Recently, Representative Suzanne Bonamici came to Hillsboro and held a Town Hall before a packed house.  Almost the entire audience was filled with Silver Hair.  This was to be expected as our wiser, more experienced citizens came forward to hear and to be heard in these changing times where Fascism, Racism, and Hate have taken center stage.  Yes, there were younger people there- but very few as young as Century High School student Marion Carpenter.  Marion was called up with a question in front of a large audience and asked about LGBTQ rights and laws being passed that will hurt the rights of those in that community.  Because Marion is Non-Binary and a student, there was pushback, and commentators took to social media and beyond to make comments. Marion has fired back, and with the guidance and permission of their parents, we are publishing Marion’s brave response.  Hillsboro has room for everyone and everything, but there shall be no room for hate,  None.

What Hillsboro means to me. 

As a nonbinary individual, I was scared to come out. But when I did, I received a lot of love and acceptance. However, I also lost some of my best friends, and not everyone was as receptive to my true self. Over the three years that I’ve been open about my identity, I’ve received threats and insults, but that is nothing compared to the many more people who’ve had my back and stood by my side. 

When our Oregon congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici recently held a town hall at Century High School, I attended, not knowing what to expect. I was surprised by the sheer number of people who were there, and it was my first time really hearing the voice of our community. 

I remember being moved by the emotion in everyone’s voice. At the very end of it, I was called up. I have really bad stage fright, and I asked her what Oregon was doing to prevent any laws being passed that would affect LGBTQ+ students in ways harmful to their wellbeing. The amount of people who came up to me after the meeting and showed their thanks to me for asking her that question was somewhat overwhelming, most of them thanking me on behalf of their children who were trans or gay. 

The community supported me when I went through revealing myself for who I really am. But our community has seen its fair share of hardships, as with all of humanity we are not perfect, and not all of us are as lucky as I am to be surrounded by such supportive people, I feel that we as a community must be able to give such support to those who lack it. Our home has no place for hate in its heart, and we must continue to fight to preserve it.

I am so thankful for all of our community members who go out of their way to stand up for others. Thank you to all of you who show kindness to everyone regardless of race, sex, religion, or anything. And to those of you who disagree with someone else’s viewpoint, just remember we’re all human, and we all deserve respect.

Do you have a Voice?  Join our growing list of Community Contributors by emailing your story and information to HillsboroHerald@gmail.com.

We salute Marion for coming forward, and we will be looking for more submissions very shortly!  Stand firm, students and youth of Hillsboro – in you, we find our future!