
Capital One Impact Initiative
Veterans across the country are struggling to find stable housing. This affordable housing community is ensuring Los Angeles vets have a place to call home.
02.13.21
Courtesy of Creative Commons
True
After years of service as a military nurse in the naval Marine Corps, Los Angeles, California-resident Rhonda Jackson became one of the 37,000 retired veterans in the U.S. who are currently experiencing homelessness — roughly eight percent of the entire homeless population.
"I was living in a one-bedroom apartment with no heat for two years," Jackson said. "The Department of Veterans Affairs was doing everything they could to help but I was not in a good situation."
One day in 2019, Jackson felt a sudden sense of hope for a better living arrangement when she caught wind of the ongoing construction of Veteran's Village in Carson, California — a 51-unit affordable housing development with one, two and three-bedroom apartments and supportive services to residents through a partnership with U.S.VETS.
Her feelings of hope quickly blossomed into a vision for her future when she learned that Veteran's Village was taking applications for residents to move in later that year after construction was complete.
"I was entered into a lottery and I just said to myself, 'Okay, this is going to work out,'" Jackson said. "The next thing I knew, I had won the lottery — in more ways than one."
<p>Communities like Veteran's Village are contributing to the national decline in homeless veterans. <u><a href="https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2019-AHAR-Part-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">According to The Department of Housing and Urban Development</a></u>, 793 fewer veterans experienced homelessness between 2018 and 2019.</p><p>That drop continued a steady decline over the past decade, as the number of veterans experiencing homelessness <u><a href="https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2019-AHAR-Part-1.pdf" target="_blank">has fallen nearly 50 percent</a></u> since 2009.<br></p><p><a target="_blank"></a>National Equity Fund (NEF), a nonprofit LIHTC syndicator and partner to Capital One, brought Veteran's Village to the bank, which responded by providing a $14.3 million construction loan and $15.6 million long-term equity investment through the purchase of low-income housing tax credits.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTY0NDgyNi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1ODYwOTQ1N30.9Hx_lOBHw7k-4oEOdCCFG11hRY2rgQwgmlOKCFy7YmE/img.jpg?width=980" id="cc95e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ebfbc8429462c2ce7ca0764081868223" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="2349" data-height="1320">
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Courtesy of Thomas Safran & Associates </small></p><p>"Everyone deserves safe, secure, stable housing — especially the heroes that protect our rights and freedoms," says David Musial, a Capital One Senior Director of the Bank's Community Finance team, which specializes in financing affordable housing. "We are honored to be able to support communities like Veteran's Village as stable affordable housing is fundamental to physical and financial health and access to opportunity."<br></p><p>Veteran's Village strives to be more than just an affordable housing development. Its staff functions as a support system to help residents navigate their individual situations to ensure that each resident is equipped with the tools they need to thrive.</p><p>"Through the support of Capital One, we were able to provide much-needed housing for U.S. Veterans," said Amy Hyde of Thomas Safran & Associates, an affordable housing development and management organization whose properties include Veteran's Village. "Our goal is to enrich the lives of the people who reside in our buildings and Capital One's funding is helping us do just that," Hyde said.</p><p>For Jackson, that goal is realized through the sense of community throughout Veteran's Village.</p><p>"It's home for people who served their country and want to serve each other," Jackson said. "We take care of each other and we look out for each other. We're a family here."</p><p>In addition to supporting housing for veterans, Capital One supports affordable housing for residents throughout the Los Angeles area, including <u><a href="https://nationalcore.org/communities/vista-grande-court/" target="_blank">Vista Grande Court</a></u>, an affordable development that supports people over 60 years of age and Palo Verde Apartments, which includes 49 affordable units with 25 reserved for formerly homeless veterans and their families.</p><p>Capital One's support to affordable housing communities in Los Angeles comes as part of its larger <u><a href="http://capital.one/2Gl20C3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Capital One Impact Initiative</a><a href="http://capital.one/2Gl20C3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">,</a></u> an initial $200 million, multi-year commitment to advancing socioeconomic mobility through advocating for an inclusive society, building thriving communities and creating financial tools that enrich lives.</p><p>Jackson said that while she is grateful for her living arrangement at Veteran's Village, there is a long road ahead in ensuring that every veteran has access to stable housing.</p><p>"I pray that there will be more communities like this built because there are so many of my veteran brothers and sisters on the streets that don't even realize their living situation doesn't have to be the way it currently is," Jackson said.</p>
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Heroes
Irish busker singing 'You've Got a Friend in Me" to boy with non-verbal autism is pure beauty
03.05.21
A video of a busker in Dublin, Ireland singing "You've Got a Friend in Me" to a young boy with autism is going viral because it's just so darn adorable. The video was filmed over a year ago by Terence Power, the co-host of the popular "Talking Bollox Podcast."
It was filmed before face masks were required, so you can see the boy's beautiful reaction to the song.
Power uploaded it to TikTok because he had just joined the platform and had no idea the number of lives it would touch. "The support on it is unbelievable. I posted it on my Instagram a while back and on Facebook and the support then was amazing," he told Dublin Live.
"But I recently made TikTok and said I'd share it on that and I'm so glad I did now!" he continued.
<p>The video stars Power's younger brother, seven-year-old Edward Gilligan, who has non-verbal autism.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="780f84095c80bc7178956f7ba4b98dd8"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HxXSF6Jeqhk?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Irish street performer sings 'You've Got a Friend In Me' to put at ease an autistic child😍</small>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxXSF6Jeqhk&ab_channel=QuickSocials" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
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</p><p>The busker in the video is Mick McLoughlin, a regular performer on the streets of Dublin. He's also blown away by how people have responded to the video.<br></p><p>"The reaction to this video has blown my mind," he said according to Dublin Live. "Edward is my pal and always will be. He is such an amazing kid and couldn't believe I saw him that day on the Luas." </p><p>The Luas is a light-rail system that runs through Dublin.</p><p>McLoughlin and Edward have met many times on the train and the viral moment was a reunion of sorts.</p><p>"I didn't do this to get attention I did it because Edward is my pal and I hadn't seen him I ages and seen him on the Luas I couldn't not sing to my pal," <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mickmcloughlinbusker" target="_blank">he wrote on his Facebook page.</a></p><p>"He sings to my brother any time he sees him in town," Power said.</p><p>The video is adorable because of the way McLoughlin and the boy interact while he's singing the song. Edward can hardly contain his joy, as he laughs at McLoughlin's spirited rendition of the Disney classic.</p><p>Even though Edward can't express himself verbally, you can tell exactly how he's feeling by hearing his laughter and seeing the big smile on his face. The video is a perfect way to show why people call music "the universal language."</p><p>"You've Got a Friend in Me" is the perfect song for two friends reuniting who haven't seen each other in a while. What seven-year-old kid hasn't seen "Toy Story" a hundred times?</p><p>The song was written by Randy Newman for the first "Toy Story" film in 1995. The song would go on to become a major musical theme in the film's three sequels.</p><p>McLoughlan has a YouTube channel where you can hear him sing a mix of traditional Irish songs. He also does a fantastic version of John Lennon's "Imagine."</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="87f2023d2709ca55fe4132dd681a90f3"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/65jAI52cxIE?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">imagine John Lennon cover by Mick mc loughlin #mickthebusker</small>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65jAI52cxIE&ab_channel=MickMcloughlin" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
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We're redefining what normal means in these uncertain times, and although this is different for all of us, love continues to transform us for the better.
Love is what united Marie-Claire and David Archbold, who met while taking a photography class. "We went into the darkroom to see what developed," they joke—and after a decade of marriage, they know firsthand the deep commitment and connection romantic love requires.
All photos courtesy of Marie-Claire and David Archbold
However, their relationship became even sweeter when they adopted James: a little boy with a
huge heart.
In the United States alone, there are roughly 122,000 children awaiting adoption according to the latest report from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. While the goal is always for a child to be parented by and stay with their biological family, that is not always a possibility. This is where adoption offers hope—not only does it create new families, it gives birth parents an avenue through which to see their child flourish when they are not able to parent. For the right families, it's a beautiful thing.
The Archbolds knew early on that adoption was an option for them. David has three daughters from a previous marriage, but knowing their family was not yet complete, the couple embarked on a two-year journey to find their match. When the adoption agency called and told them about James, they were elated. From the moment they met him, the Archbolds knew he was meant to be part of their family. David locked eyes with the brown-eyed baby and they stared at each other in quiet wonder for such a long time that the whole room fell silent. "He still looks at me like that," said David.
The connection was mutual and instantaneous—love at first sight. The Archbolds knew that James was meant to be a part of their family. However, they faced significant challenges requiring an even deeper level of commitment due to James' medical condition.
James was born with
congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare condition that causes his body to overproduce insulin, and within 2 months of his birth, he had to have surgery to remove 90% of his pancreas. There was a steep learning curve for the Archbolds, but they were already in love, and knew they were committed to the ongoing care that'd be required of bringing James into their lives. After lots of research and encouragement from James' medical team, they finally brought their son home.
Today, three-year-old James is thriving, filled with infectious joy that bubbles over and touches every person who comes in contact with him. "Part of love is when people recognize that they need to be with each other," said his adoptive grandfather. And because the Archbolds opted for an open adoption, there are even more people to love and support James as he grows.
This sweet story is brought to you by Sumo Citrus®. This oversized mandarin is celebrated for its incredible taste and distinct looks. Sumo Citrus is super-sweet, enormous, easy-to-peel, seedless, and juicy without the mess. Fans of the fruit are obsessive, stocking up from January to April when Sumo Citrus is in stores. To learn more, visit sumocitrus.com and @sumocitrus.
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A high school teacher's reaction to a sleeping student has gone viral for all the right reasons.
06.01.18
A teacher's message has gone viral after he let his student sleep in class — for the kindest reason.
Teachers spend time preparing lesson plans and trying to engage students in learning. The least a kid can do is stay awake in class, right?
But high school English teacher Monte Syrie sees things differently. In a Twitter thread, he explained why he didn't take it personally when his student Meg fell asleep — and why he didn't wake her up.
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTM5NzU3MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzkzNTEyNn0.kzZea_-uBHo2q1jgT56-zmfB40yls11zZrWgPCeecCQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="dabbe" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c72657792cfe337ac3fbc65bf0a65e13" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"><small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">Screenshots via MonteSyrie/Twitter.</small></p><p>Meg's nap meant she missed an in-class essay, but she turned it in that night. "I didn't beat her up about it. Didn't have to," he wrote. "In a different room, Meg may have been written up for sleeping in class and given a zero for missing and essay, but she wasn't in a different room; she was in my room."</p><h2><strong>Syrie pointed out that sometimes we have to "trust our instincts, even if it goes against the grain." </strong></h2><p>Meg is a good student with a lot on her plate. She takes a zero-hour class before the normal school day and does farm chores before that. She runs track. And she's a teenager, with all of the social, academic, and life pressures that go along with it.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTM5NzU3MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1ODM3NzQ2NX0.hWc4FQRL5Rzd7aUu0-jFxAX2iMmBzxw2HWTgzIT5pGs/img.jpg?width=980" id="71723" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3d3bd7dc5171ba78621d53a4bec5ece7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"><small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">Syrie teaches sophomore English in Cheney, Washington. Photo via Monte Syrie.</small></p><p><strong>And she's not alone.</strong> During the school year, <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article94124892.html" target="_blank">teens report</a> higher levels of stress than adults, and many students report feeling exhausted trying to keep up with it all. </p><p>"I think too often the biggest thing that people forget about high school students is that they are kids," Syrie says. "They're kids<em> — </em>kids who are having to grow up way too fast and are having way too much pressure put on them, in and out of school ... even for our best and brightest, that pressure gets to be too much."</p><h2>Syrie's compassionate story resonated with people because we've all been in a position of needing a little grace.</h2><p>Syrie's tweets continued, exemplifying how teachers can show kindness and understanding to students. He pointed out, "I can't offer Meg a math class later in the day. I cannot feed her horses ... I cannot run 6 race-pace 300s for her. I cannot spirit away her teen trouble. <strong>But I can give her a break</strong>."</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTM5NzU3Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MzM1NDI0OX0.Jfk9p64q28YqAWvGEi_wBH8tvWMF7Z2QPZKEKDxE9sU/img.jpg?width=980" id="411f3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4f0f7891b1b277b2be7c82e6955f6938" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></p><p><strong>Syrie says he tries to be that responsive to all of his students.</strong> "Because I firmly believe that one size fits all is madness, I adjust to each student, trusting my instincts, trusting what I know," he says. "Regardless of our responsibilities, life is hard, and we all need some grace now and then."</p><h2>Syrie says he's had a few negative comments, but overwhelmingly the response has been positive from both students and teachers. </h2><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTM5NzU3My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzODg2NjAyMn0.UwsKSMTDUiO0hkNThhr1A5GK0MyXURO5jRjagvSrHS8/img.jpg?width=980" id="94ca5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="78e47c58c459b9297f72e7d0dc0f900e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"><small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">Screenshot via <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexaShaw21/status/997368406075621377">Alexa Shaw/Twitter</a>.</small></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTM5NzU3NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNzAyMTU0NX0.9GouNmBhPO-pIyuuSi1-DPkge55gSUtzfm7LYx5ihaQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="f2295" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b56f240ba6ced6006f9c657a55c42659" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"><small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">Screenshot via <a href="https://twitter.com/RiversoMaria/status/997237337531691008">Maria Riverso/Twitter.</a></small></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTM5NzU3NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3NTU0NjUwMn0.nDKuaErxGnRXpO8AAgbGMGohcixJ-deNC8y5ZNxJh0Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="5279c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="19db3fbcdc812f21947085fc9cd51395" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"><small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">Screenshot via <a href="https://twitter.com/MrsChow1/status/997271008456335360">Mrs. Chow/Twitter</a>.</small></p><h2>Syrie has words for those who say that allowing a student to sleep in class doesn't prepare them for the "real world." </h2><p>Some may question whether letting a student sleep in class without consequence is a good idea. <strong>Syrie has a response: </strong></p><p>"We are not working in factories, stamping out standardized products," he says. "We are helping young humans — unique individuals — learn about themselves and their worlds. As such, when our young humans face the inevitable pressures of growing up, we need to respond with empathy." </p><p>"And if that does not prepare them for the 'real world' as some may suggest, then maybe the world needs to change. I want to live in a world where there's empathy. That's the world I want to live in."</p><p><em>You can read more about the way Syrie is rethinking education on</em><a href="http://www.letschangeeducation.com/" target="_blank"><em> his website</em>.</a> </p>
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In a beautiful act of defiance, BYU's LGBT students lit up 'Y Mountain' in rainbow colors
03.05.21
The dark mountains that overlook Provo, Utah were illuminated by a beautiful rainbow-colored "Y" on Thursday night just before 8 pm. The 380-foot-tall "Y" overlooks the campus of Brigham Young University, a private college owned by the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), commonly known as Mormons.
The display was planned by a group of around 40 LGBT students to mark the one-year anniversary of the university sending out a letter clarifying its stance on homosexual behavior.
"One change to the Honor Code language that has raised questions was the removal of a section on 'Homosexual Behavior.' The moral standards of the Church did not change with the recent release of the General Handbook or the updated Honor Code, " the school's statement read.
<p>"Same-sex romantic behavior cannot lead to eternal marriage and is therefore not compatible with the principles included in the Honor Code," it continued.</p><p>The clarification to the Honor Code came after a section banning "all forms of physical intimacy that give expression to homosexual feelings" was removed. LGBT students saw it as a signal that the university was softening its strict anti-LGBT policies. The removal inspired many to take photos of same-sex kisses in front of university landmarks and others to come out of the closet because they believed they were safe.</p><p>"That day felt like a betrayal for a lot of LGBTQ students," Bradley Talbot, a gay student who organized the event, said according to the<a href="https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2021/03/05/lgbtq-students-byu-light/" target="_blank"> Salt Lake City Tribune. </a>"It was traumatic. So this was a day for us to reclaim that and try to turn it into something positive."</p><div id="ef865" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7b9b0611efa964aa1cd024c678388291">
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<div style="margin:1em 0">There are an estimated 4,357 LGBTQ+ students at BYU. Tonight is for all of them.❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤 https://t.co/kkzuXkvC8L</div> — calvin burke (@calvin burke)
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<div style="margin:1em 0">Grateful for the great work being done at BYU to help LGBTQ students feel loved, valued and welcome 🌈 https://t.co/cYG8UgpwlH</div> — Papa Ostler (@Papa Ostler)
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<div style="margin:1em 0">Light 'em up, BYU. https://t.co/Mp5oz683Ct https://t.co/oOnb1v0ctC</div> — Joshua Rush (@Joshua Rush)
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</div><p>"If BYU won't show their love to us, we're going to make sure our love is visible to them," Danny Niemann, a senior and gay student at the school, said before climbing the hill to light up the "Y."<br></p><p>After the group of LGBT students turned off the lights and headed back down the mountain, they were met by police cars from the university, but no arrests were made. On the trailhead they were greeted by supporters who blasted "Born This Way" and "I Kissed a Girl" from their car speakers.</p><p>The university wasn't impressed by the display.</p><div id="dc08f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0429ca9694b4a92eefdb93b0aece1c7c">
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<div style="margin:1em 0">The Y is BYU property and any form of public expression on university property requires prior approval.</div> — BYU (@BYU)
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</div><p>The LDS Church has a long history of being anti-LGBT. All homosexual or same-sex sexual activity is forbidden by The Church and it believes that god doesn't approve of same-sex marriage.<br></p><p>Therefore, all homosexual members are presented with three unhealthy lifestyle options. They can either attempt to change their sexual orientation, marry someone of the opposite sexual orientation or live a celibate lifestyle. </p><p>The lighting of the "Y" was applauded by Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds, a former BYU student and member of the LDS Church. Reynolds has a long history of supporting pro-LGBT causes.</p><div id="e6950" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d1b1d55c6f28cecd15cfe015de8e5e12">
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<div style="margin:1em 0">hey @BYU this is an opportunity for you to celebrate your LGBTQ students. they do make up ~13% of your student body… https://t.co/7SwUXIdyyW</div> — Dan Reynolds (@Dan Reynolds)
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</div><p>The church has softened some of its anti-LGBT positions over the last few years. In 2019, it reversed a 2015 decision that classified people in same-sex marriages as "apostates." It also allowed children from LGBT marriages to be baptized.<br></p><p>The LDS Church has a long history of bigotry, but LGBT members should find some solace that it has changed with the times, albeit decades too late. From the mid-1800s until 1978 it prevented most Black men from being ordained to the church's lay priesthood, barred Black men and women from participating in the ordinances of its temples, and opposed interracial marriage.</p><p>The priesthood is bestowed upon "worthy" males and allows them to perform the work of god.</p><p>In 1978, President Spencer W. Kimball, received a "revelation" that allowed Black men to be part of the priesthood.</p><p>In 2013,<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2013/mar/05/mormons-black-priests-ban" target="_blank"> the Church admitted</a> its stances were motivated by bigotry.</p><p>Maybe the church can have a similar revelation that mirrors the times and will allow LGBT people the same rights as straight Mormons. </p>
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