ABC's Nashville gets a gay kiss, kind of

Well, it finally happened.  I wondered how long it would take.  ABC's Nashville had its first gay kiss tonight, kind of.  Gunnar's friend Will tried to steal one in an awkward scene.  We'll see what the show does with it.  It was a little disappointing because it could play into the whole sad, hackneyed "gays are predatory and opportunistic" theme.  But there is something gutsy about it, too.  Again, we'll see how gutsy if the storyline develops.

Gunnar and Will from Nashville's Twitter feed

At least it tells the rest country what they might not expect given all the national exposure our Legislature has received for anti-equality legislation:  There are boys who kiss boys in Tennessee and girls who kiss girls and the world hasn't come to an end yet. 

Rallies for Equality: Roundup of the Coverage

Sarah Smith of Vanderbilt Lambda addresses the Nashville rally

Although we're still waiting for the Washington Blade piece, here's a roundup of some of the coverage of the Rallies for Equality that took place yesterday in Memphis, Cookeville, and Nashville:

Out & About Newspaper with story, photos, and video.

Tennessean piece with comments by Austin Peay State University GSA's Ryan Whipkey.

Fox17 coverage focused on safe schools issues in Tennessee and featured the comments of Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet High School student Gray Alexander. Now begins the waiting game to see whether the Don't Say Gay, License to Bully, and other negative education bills will be filed in the 108th General Assembly.

Barbara Stover, Darren Crawford, and Janet Moore in Cookeville (photo

 by R. G. Cravens)

Blurbs by WSMV and Newschannel5.

The TEP Shelby County Committee has posted photos from the Memphis rally on their Facebook page.  

Kal Dwight at the Memphis rally

To sign the petition urging President Obama to sign the executive order barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity among federal contractors, go to wh.gov/9ALQ .

Memphis, Cookeville, Nashville Rally for Equality/federal contractor executive order Dec 9

The Tennessee Equality Project has organized rallies for equality in Memphis, Cookeville, and Nashville to take place on December 9 to call on President Barack Obama to sign an executive order barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity by federal contractors and to call on the Legislature to end discriminatory legislation when it convenes in January.

The Memphis Rally takes place at 2:00 p.m. in the plaza in front of the federal building in Memphis.  More information can be found at this link. 

The Cookeville Rally takes place at 1:00 p.m. outside the Putnam County Courthouse in Cookeville.  More information can be found at this link.

The Nashville Rally takes place at 2:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Plaza in Nashville.  More information can be found at this link.  

Additional cosponsors of these rallies include the following organizations:  Austin Peay State University Gay/Straight Alliance, Out & About Newspaper, Tennessee Tech Lambda, Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce, PFLAG Nashville, Greater Nashville Prime Timers, GLSEN Middle TN, Metro Human Relations Commission, Nashville Pride, OutCentral, Just Us at Oasis Center, PFLAG Maryville, Human Rights Campaign Nashville Steering Committee, and CHOICES: Memphis Center for Reproductive Health.

TEP started a petition at the White House petition site to urge the President to sign the federal contractor non-discrimination executive order.  It can be found here.  

In 2011 Metro Nashville passed a contractor non-discrimination ordinance only to see it nullified by the Legislature the same year.  The presidential executive order is best chance to achieve job protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in states like Tennessee in the immediate future until Congress can take up the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

TEP calls on on other states and cities to hold similar rallies and spread word about the petition to increase public support for the executive order.

Former Metro Council candidate VanReece finds inclusive workplace at Nashville Symphony

We recently caught up with former Metro Nashville Council candidate Nancy VanReece to find out what she's been up to.  Quite a bit, as it turns out.

Grand Divisions:  You recently took a new position with the Nashville Symphony.  Tell us what you'll be doing.

  

Nancy VanReece:  I am working with a great Communications team as part of the External Affairs Department. Daily, you can bet that I am busy crafting and managing social media strategies for each event produced by the Nashville Symphony as well as for each department of the Nashville Symphony and Schermerhorn Symphony Center. In addition to doing our best to turn content into conversations in the social-sphere, I am managing the updates to to www.nashvillesymphony.org and www.schemerhorncenter.com.  I will also be chief curator for a new blog launching in 2012 that will help share the stories of Nashville's symphony on a daily basis.

Grand Divisions:  You've always indicated that equality in the workplace is an important value to you.  Tell us about what modifications to their employment policies that the Symphony has made since you started working there. 

Nancy VanReece:  Actually, there has been no modification of practice, just an update in the language to their nondiscrimination policy. Back when I was the Executive Director of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival I did a quick survey of nonprofit arts organizations receiving funding from Metro Davidson County that had inclusive non-discrimination polices.  Almost all did, including the Nashville Symphony.  I learned at that time that they also allowed domestic partners of employees to receive health benefit options. I tucked that information away back in 2007.  

You can bet that it came back up when I was interviewing for the position 4 years later.  I asked again about both.  I had pledged to not work for a company that didn't have an inclusive policy so it was imperative that what I learned in 2007 was still true.   After reading the policy, however, there was some antiquated language that I asked to be updated.  Jonathan Norris, VP of Human Resources didn't hesitate.  I simply suggested they use the same exact language that our Metro government uses. The policy was quickly updated.  I was proud to add it to the website the first week I was there.  

The domestic partner benefit option, although not inexpensive, was one the factors that encouraged me to leave my growing free-lance work for the opportunity to be part of the NSO team.  Joan, my partner of nearly 24 years, is still under employed part time (She is the food bank coordinator at Martha O'Bryan and fulfills customer orders for Cool People Care). We have been unable to afford 2 individual policies at the rate offered to us. It's still expensive this way and until federal changes are made, we have to pay taxes on her benefit, but it still costs less than buying it directly.

Grand Divisions:  As well as your work with non-profits and your engagement with artistic creativity, you're known as an advocate for the Madison area of Davidson County.  What neighborhood projects do you have in the works?

Nancy VanReece:  I'm an advocate for Nashville and for the development of the Northeast Corridor. The new District 8 is part of Madison, Maplewood, Gra-Mar, Inglewood, It's Dickerson Pike and Gallatin Pike and everything in-between. it's all Nashville. At the request of some folks I met during the campaign this past year, I help start a Facebook Group called the The Blue Star Group. It exist to provide information and facilitate conversation about the corridor that is part of  Districts 7,8 and 9.  Councilmen Pridemore and Davis have participated on occasion.  I'm still waiting to see how many of the 12 of us that started the page will facilitate.  I asked Council-lady Bennett to join and post updates but she told me, "I don't have time for Facebook.". I certainly hope that she will change her mind.

I went to a local coffee chat with Councilman Anthony Davis and there were people there from 7,6 and 8.  We are all in this together.  The success of Riverside Village in 7 will bring confidence to the development of the Madison Village in 8/9. The success of the East-West Connector mass transit line into 5-points in District 6 connects the Rivergate-Madison MTA 56 BRT-Lite directly in a way that can only be productive up the northeast corridor. I still envision a major Madison resurgence with landscaping, park and rides,  local shops and restaurants all coming… and it can't come soon enough.  Meanwhile, the people that live in this area continue to enjoy their escape to a suburban environment only 9 miles away from the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Grand Divisions:  Thank you, Nancy, and congratulations!

-Chris Sanders

Welcoming Family Action to Nashville

Dear Members of the Family Action Council of Tennessee:

On behalf of equality loving citizens throughout Nashville, I want to welcome you to Music City today for your Stand for Truth event. 

I think you’ll find Nashville a welcoming city for everyone.  In case you forgot just how welcoming we are, I’d like to take a moment to remind you: 

• In 2008 the Metropolitan Board of Public Education unanimously adopted non-discrimination policies for teachers and students protecting them from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Voters overwhelmingly rejected an English Only charter amendment in 2009.
• That same year the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County adopted a non-discrimination ordinance protecting government employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
• This year, with the support of over 70 congregations, businesses, and community and labor organizations, the Metropolitan Government adopted another non-discrimination ordinance protecting employees of government contractors from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
• In August the Council passed a resolution honoring high school students protesting the Don’t Say Gay bill.
• When the Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution urging them to do so, the Metropolitan Law Department announced that it will file an amicus brief in the court challenge to HB600, the Special Access to Discriminate law, that nullified our contractor non-discrimination ordinance.

I know that your events end on Saturday afternoon, but I invite you to stay longer and join us for some pre-Halloween bar hopping on Church Street tonight. The costumes are going to be FABULOUS!  And if you’ve got a little more time, visit one of our many affirming congregations for worship on Sunday morning.  

WELCOME TO NASHVILLE!

-Chris Sanders

Great turnout for Walk with Mayor Dean and TEP today

The Walk 100 Miles with the Mayor initiative is going strong and today's hike along the Mossy Ridge Trail was no exception. About 40 friends of TEP as well as 30 other dedicated walking enthusiasts turned out for a 4-mile walk with Mayor Karl Dean through some of the most beautiful parts of the city. We were pleased to be joined by Metro Councilmen Carter Todd and Jason Holleman. District 22 Council candidate Seanna Brandmeier also braved the heat and it was great to see her.

One of the best parts of the event was the opportunity to meet the students who have been protesting HB600, the Special Access to Discriminate law that nullified Metro's Contract Accountability Non-Discrimination Ordinance. It was fascinating to get their perspective on what needs to be done to move Tennessee forward.

The event was a perfect blend of fitness, nature, and the value of equality--just what you'd want in "a city on the rise."

-Chris Sanders

Regrets, I've had a few, but CAN DO ain't one of them

Now that the TN House and Senate have passed HB600/SB632 (with one difference in the Senate version that will soon be worked out), the Special Access to Discriminate bill will be headed to Governor Bill Haslam's desk. Barring a miracle veto, which we are nonetheless pressing for, the bill will become law.

Last week a Metro Nashville Council Member asked me whether I regretted the whole thing--the work for the Metro Contract Accountability Non-Discrimination Ordinance and having to fight the state bills introduced to stop it and stop any city or county from passing a similar ordinance. The answer is "NO!"

Do I regret that the the majority in the Legislature is anti-equality and tried to frame the issue as a business argument even though there was no study on the business impact of the Metro bill or the state bills? Of course. But I don't regret the work that went into the passage of CAN DO or that everyone put into fighting the state bills.

The Gains: Since the whole discussion began back in December, here's what's different. (a) Belmont University has begun a serious effort at welcoming diversity on its campus. They have more work to do, but they're in a different place. (b) Metro boards and commissions have been updating their non-discrimination policies to conform to the Metro non-discrimination ordinance of 2009. (c) We confirmed that we have a pro-equality consensus in Metro Nashville Government. The city has sent a clear message, even if the state guts the specifics of the ordinance. (d) At last, a statewide conversation on workplace discrimination has begun. Granted, it has been joined by questions of local authority and some fantasy of a "uniform business climate," but it has begun. In that regard, we can't forget how wonderful it was to be allied with Tennessee's four largest cities in opposing the state bills, to receive the support of a Shelby County Commission resolution, or the support of local lawmakers from the Knox County Commission, Jackson City Council, Oak Ridge City Council, and the Memphis City Council. (e) We know where our gaps are in the Legislature. The one positive about a negative vote is that you have a clear map of where you need to build support and you'd better believe we are going to work on that. (f) Our community and our allies are fully awake to the need to be engaged with our Legislature. That is a positive and it will yield strength for other fights!

It ain't over 'til it's over: If Governor Haslam signs SB632/HB600, the matter won't be over. Various groups are talking about filing suit to overturn it. And other options are under consideration. Stay tuned, but don't count us out!

-Chris Sanders

A look at the numbers on the first day of early voting in Nashville

According to the list I received from the Davidson County Election Commission, 469 people voted on Friday. It looks as if there may be one duplicate on the list, so maybe it was 468. I don't have the statistics from the first day four years ago, but the number was higher than I expected.

Republican Surge?: Judging from the campaign signs posted at the Election Commission, a crowded 5th district Republican congressional primary and the three-man horse race for the Republican nomination for governor must account for the numbers. About 45% of those voting on the first day pulled a Republican primary ballot. It should be noted that Friday's Jackson Day celebration may have kept many Democrats from voting after work.

GLBT Factor: Just over 2% of those voting on Friday are part of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. (The number could be higher. I don't know every GLBT person in Nashville, folks!) After voting (or before voting for those who were heading to the Election Commission on Saturday), the TEP Nashville Committee held our Vote + Happy Hour event at 3rd and Lindsley. You can find some of the pictures here.

Rutherford County Contrast: Despite being higher than I expected, the Nashville numbers are still low. Rutherford County provides a contrast where 1001 people voted on the first day, according to the Daily News Journal. But they had six locations and Davidson County only had one. 698 voted in the Republican primary in the Rutherford County with only 286 in the Democratic. Again, I think we can attribute those numbers to a crowded Republican field in the 6th district congressional race as well as the governor's race.

Voting on Saturday: Maybe the second day totals will be stronger in Nashville, despite the rather limited Saturday hours. One indication was the large crowd of volunteers for Jeff Yarbro's district 21 State Senate campaign who were gathered at the Election Commission Saturday morning to vote and then canvass neighborhoods. Stay tuned for more updates as the numbers come in over the next few days.

Is Crafton out of touch? Reminder about the Davidson Co Juvenline Court Clerk race

July 16 is the first day of early voting in State Primary, but it also happens to be the first day of voting in the County General. In one of the most hotly contested races David Smith and Eric Crafton are vying for Davidson County Juvenile Court Clerk.

Normally we wouldn't draw much attention to a race like this since the work of the Juvenile Court Clerk doesn't have a direct impact on policy related to the equality issues our community cares about. However, it's worth raising the question of whether Davidson County voters should reward someone who has consistently shown himself out of touch with our values with another election win.

Judge for yourself.

*As a Metro Councilman, Eric Crafton voted against the 2009 Metro non-discrimination ordinance on first reading, second reading, and third reading. He wasn't content with quiet opposition. He spoke on the floor against the measure.

*He also led the effort to pass English Only in Metro, an effort that failed by a wide margin in January 2009 and was opposed by TEP.

Has he changed his views after these losses? The evidence is coming in. Earlier this year TEP asked the Council to seek a legal opinion on whether the Metro Human Relations Commission can gather statistics on discrimination in the private sector based on gender identity and provide educational programming on such discrimination. The legal opinion indicated that the Human Relations Commission could, in fact, do so.

*Last month, Councilman Crafton along with five other Council Members wrote a letter (linked at the Tennessean's politics blog) to the Human Relations Commission urging them not to use their authority to document such gender identity discrimination. Not only did they try to oppose the Commission's authority, but they also involved the socially conservative Alliance Defense Fund.

Make sure to know the facts before you vote. You'll have that opportunity July 16-31 during early voting and on August 5, which is Election Day.

-Chris Sanders

Won't you be my neighbor? The Neighborhood Movement and Equality in Nashville

Discussing the lack of openly gay country stars with the recent and notable exception of Chely Wright, The Independent (Ireland) observed yesterday:

"Yet Nashville has no corresponding equivalent of San Francisco's Castro district."

Certainly there is the business district on Church Street and there is a significant presence in East Nashville and in the 37212 Zip code, but the Nashville GLBT community is pretty well spread out in Davidson County. The Independent is basically right; we are without a defining gay neighborhood.

Coincidentally yesterday was also the Neighborhood Summit in Nashville sponsored by the Nashville Neighborhood Defense Fund, MNEA, IAFF (Nashville Firefighters), FOP, and SEIU. I attended to get a better understanding of the language of "neighborhood" that so animates Metro politics. I've specifically been interested in the points of connection and divergence between the neighborhood movement and our work for equality in Nashville. It's particularly important considering the passion that neighborhood issue evoke, equal to our own in the fight against discrimination.

Points of contact: Neighborhood associations and two of the sponsoring organizations of the Neighborhood Summit (SEIU and IAFF) endorsed the Metro non-discrimination ordinance last year. The majority of the current and former Metro Council Members who spoke at the summit have supported non-discrimination efforts. Current Council Members Emily Evans, Mike Jameson (who was a sponsor of the 2009 ordinance), and Jason Holleman all supported the ordinance. Former Council Members Ginger Hausser and David Briley supported the 2003 ordinance. It's difficult to find a theoretical point of contact, but it appears that many of the leading neighborhood advocates also happen to be equality advocates in our city.

Points of divergence: There aren't really any direct points of divergence. When it comes to GLBT homeowners, I don't hear any Not In My Back Yard rhetoric. Maybe that was part of old Nashville, but not so much now. Understandably the two movements will sometimes back very different candidates for office.

Why is that? The GLBT community is perhaps not as suspicious of business and development as the average person involved in his or her neighborhood. I think that's because business has led the public sector in establishing non-discrimination policies and providing partner benefits. I'm not making the case that our community shouldn't have a healthy suspicion of business and development interests. But I think this difference makes it so difficult for us to wrap our minds around why the Nashville Neighborhood Defense Fund endorsed Carolyn Baldwin Tucker for Vice Mayor in 2007. But NNDF didn't make that endorsement based on her opposition to the 2003 non-discrimination ordinance. It wasn't any attempt to glorify those positions at all.

That's precisely why it's important for equality advocates in Nashville to do more homework on neighborhood concerns if we want to be effective. It's a source of passion and power in our city's politics that could lead to new strategies for advancing legislation. Given the strong involvement of a number of members of our community in their neighborhoods, there's every reason to believe we can make those connections if we try.

-Chris Sanders

Metro Human Relations Commission: User's Guide

If you live in Nashville and are discriminated against in employment, housing, financial services and transactions, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation, you can file a complaint with the Metro Human Relations Commission. Sexual orientation, though not gender identity, is explicitly mentioned on their page. The Human Relations Commission can investigate the complaint, but cannot compel a settlement in the case of sexual orientation discrimination.

You should file your complaint within 180 days of the discriminatory action. The website provides all the information you need:

How to File a Complaint

To file a complaint of discrimination with the Metro Human Relations Commission please call our office at 615-880-3370 OR visit the Metro Human Relations Commission office.

The Human Relations Commission staff will assist you in writing a brief outline of facts, and word a charge of violation of local civil rights law or policy, on a form, which requires your notarized signature. You know your complaint better than anyone else. Give the Commission staff person all the details and answer all questions as fully as you can. Names, dates, places, addresses and details of what happened should be as accurate as possible. Documents such as payroll slips or rent receipts can help to support charges. If you have witnesses, it’s important to give full names, and how the Commission staff can contact them.

The executive director is very clear on the Human Relations Commission's authority to take and investigate complaints based on sexual orientation. He has said so in public and in conversation with me.

If you call and try to file a complaint based on sexual orientation and a Commission employee for some reason seems unsure, you may have to refer the employee to the website linked above and to the legal opinion given by then Law Director and now Mayor Karl Dean that establishes that the Human Relations Commission can accept such complaints. But since the information is correctly listed on the website, you shouldn't have any difficulty.

I would remind anyone filing such a complaint that you will not get a settlement. There are no federal, state, or local protections for you if you face discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, unless you are covered by the School Board's contract with Metro teachers. What filing a complaint accomplishes is making those who engage in discrimination publicly accountable. In other words, they have to explain themselves to a government body and no employer likes to do that. Complaints--if they go to a hearing--can additionally invite media and public scrutiny.

But until we pass federal, state, or local protections, that's all the recourse our community in Nashville has.

Congratulations, HRC Nashville

Out & About Newspaper is reporting that the Nashville Steering Committee of the Human Rights Campaign has received the "Best Partnership with a State Group" award at their recent Lobby Day and national board meeting in Washington, D.C. The state group in question happens to be the Tennessee Equality Project.

The Human Rights Campaign provided valuable help last year on a number of bills, particularly the adoption ban, and they have shown the same commitment to helping with state legislation this year. We feel very fortunate to have the support of their national staff and their local membership. Congratulations!

Party tonight, recover tomorrow, and vote no the day after

Sorry if it seems like I'm filling up your calendar. But I think they're 3 pretty good priorities--party, recover, vote. Get out and have fun tonight, but before you drink too much, tell your friends that you're going to get to the polls on Friday (if you live in Nashville) and vote no on English Only. Tell them in Russian or Chinese or Gaelic if you know how.

And then go do it. You can find early voting information here. And, gosh, everybody's doing it so you'll be with friends.

In Memoriam: Eddie Lightsey

I have received word that Eddie Lightsey passed early this morning. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this month, and it moved with devastating speed. Eddie was an active member of the Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce. In fact, he was always one of the first to arrive at monthly meetings. He was also a much loved supporter of the Nashville Grizzlies Rugby Football Club. He provided critical support as the team got started. And he was a man of faith. I remember a particularly wonderful Feast of the Epiphany party that he gave. His funeral is expected later in the week at St. Ann's Episcopal Church where he was a member.

Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord:
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Video of Nashville Prop 8 Rally by Val Reynolds

Thanks for sending it our way, Val!

What Do We Want?

(post by TEP Foundation Board Memeber, Nancy VanReece)

Nashville came out in the cold drizzle to join dozens of other cities around the country for a demonstration.
What were we demonstrating? Support for each other, righteous indignation? Yes. But most off all, we were demonstrating solidarity.
It's one thing to live in a state such as Tennessee that forbids the equal right of marriage to all of its citizens, that's a a battle lost in 2006 that still stings. It is a whole other thing to remove rights already in place. That's what Prop 8 in California did and today, in solidarity the people that it effected were a single voice.

Gay and straight, married, single, black, white and brown, over 250,000 strong according to pledges across the country, today at 12:30pm central time, 1:30 eastern and 10:30am west -- We all with one voice said: What do we want? Equality. When do we want it? Now. (click to see video)

Nashville Prop 8 Rally a Huge Success!

Hundreds of people gathered at the Metro Courthouse in Nashville today to protest California's Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage, and to advocate for equality for Tennessee's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. Pictured above is Nashville Pride president Pam Wheeler with friends marching around the Public Square. More photos from the event can be found here.

I would put the number at close to 300. TEP signed up 62 people who weren't already on our list and we couldn't get to everyone, especially after the march started. People were still joining the event when I left at 1:45.

Representatives from the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition and the Nashville steering committee of the Human Rights Campaign were also on hand to support the rally. Carissa and her friends did an incredible job of organizing the event.

One of the most impressive aspects of the event was the number of young people who had never been involved in GLBT advocacy before. I would guess 75 percent of the participants were people I had never seen at any events before. I hope that they can turn their energy to efforts in Tennessee.

Anti-Prop 8 rally comes to Nashville

A Rally for Equality against California's Proposition 8
Saturday, November 15 at 12:30PM
1 Public Square in Nashville

There are rallies across the country on Saturday to protest California's Proposition 8 which bans same-sex marriage. TEP folks are not the organizers. We're just helping publicize the event.

Dozens of people who have never been involved in politics or GLBT rights issues have contacted us about this event. My hope is that they'll turn their energy to State and local issues once the event on Saturday ends.

Update: Out & About's piece .

Too close to call is a good place to start...

...with English Only, that is. The Tennessean's poll of 200 voters (not as big of a sample as I would have liked) indicates there is a slightly larger group of voters who oppose the English only ballot measure than support it. The margin of error is plus or minus 6 points.

I have to admit that I'm surprised. I figured the opponents would be way behind. The numbers should give encouragement to the groups that I have heard are mobilizing to fight the initiative. I can see a realistic fundraising case being made to support the Vote No campaign, even though many will be tapped out because of the economy and contributions for the November elections. People like to support a winner and it's clear that there is a chance the Vote No forces can win in January.

Fuming in Nashville

I've been running on fumes most of the weekend. I finally got gas today at the Bellevue Kroger. The wait was only 20 minutes, which wasn't bad at all. The process was organized with attendants directing traffic.

Quite a contrast from Friday night! Knowing I wouldn't be able to find any gas, Bobby and I took his car to get a milkshake. Up ahead the police were already working one accident and I saw the results of another one that had just taken place. I'm not surprised by the rumors of fighting at the pumps.

It's hard to say at this point whether Friday night or Sunday afternoon is going to be typical of the next few months. It's amazing how much unrest is just beneath the surface.