Posted by Melanie Nathan, San Francisco; 2.15 pm 1/13/10 - Therese Stewart, Chief Deputy City Attorney for San Francisco, spent the morning examining Prof.  Chauncey, witness for the Plaintiff’s case. 

George Chauncey is Professor of History   – and American Studies and chair of LGBT Studies at Yale University.  He is the author of Gay New York: Gender, Urban Culture, and the Making of the Gay Male World, 1890-1940 (1994) and Why Marriage?  Chauncey wrote about LGBT history and studies at a time when there was barely any literature on the subject. Hence there is great value in his experience and research.

The Plaintiffs are trying to show that the LGBT community is a minority community. That is the crux of the case. For Plaintiff to prove LGBT is a minority class and one that has then be targeted.

The Defense attorney Thompson, fought vigorously to hold back a video of one Mr.  Tam, a Prop 8 supporter; fortunately the Judge allowed it into evidence. When watching the video and hearing the words of Tam, we can see why Thompson did not want it into evidence.

In fact Chauncey was not deposed on the Video, yet the Defendant’s counsel had opened up a question that allowed the video to be used in evidence. “Stewart says Thompson opened the door on the subject by trying to argue there are non-bigoted reasons for supporting Prop 8. “ What an explosive piece it turned out to be.   

EXAMPLE – from 
VIDEO-  Per  Tam’s flyer -: “SF city government is under rule of homosexuals.  After legalizing same-sex marriage, they want to legalize prostitution.  What next?”   Tam confirms that he wrote it.  What does gay agenda mean to you, Mr. Tam?  “Do you believe that part of the gay agenda is the legalizing of sex with children?” Yes, says Mr. Tam.  Tam is the Executive Director of the Traditional Families Coalition — which advocated the passage of Prop 8.

Mr. Tam’s columns are published in Chinese Christian Herald.  And he wrote a book called “America, Return to God.”  In these columns, Tam said that “children would benefit the most” if Prop 8 passes, because the children would then have “both sexes” as parents which is “good role models.”  Kids adopted by gay couples (which will happen if Prop 8 fails) do not have “two genders” as parents.  Now, plaintiffs’ attorneys are showing Tam columns he wrote about “parenting.”

Therese Stewart has had her hand in Prop 8 litigation from day one. She is an astounding speaker and advocate. I had the privilege of speaking to her a few nights before the case at the swearing in ceremony of  Dennis Herrera SF City Attorney.  She is reserved and modest. To my way of thinking the entire LGBT community is on trial and let me say one thing – we are in the best hands imaginable.  She exudes confidence.  We decided that we would wait until after the trial for her specific comments. She has agreed to speak to Lezgetreal and we cannot wait. She is featured this Month as Lesbian of the MONTH!

Many thanks to Paul Hogarth and Courage Campaign for your live blogging.  

Posted by Melanie Nathan. nathan@privatecourts.com

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• Historian back on stand in gay marriage trial (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Proposition 8: Historian Back On Stand In Gay Marriage Trial (huffingtonpost.com)
• Prop 8 trial – Exlposive Anti-Gay Video – Entire LGBT Community is on Trial… (lezgetreal.com)

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  10.00  PM – Houston and this is the Story -

Annise Parker,  The first openly Lesbian Woman has just been elected  Mayor of a large US City – in fact the  4^th largest city in the USA.   Parker,  prior City Controller,  ran a highly contested run-off race against fellow Democrat  Gene Locke,   a lawyer, touting tough on crime, who would have been the second  African American Mayor of Houston. One can only imagine who got the Republican vote.

Speaking to CNN while the votes were being counted in this  tightly contested race, Mayor Parker seemed distant from concern about the anti- LGBT rhetoric of the ads that added fire to  the race, and more focused on the job ahead, inferring that the best apt at the job has very little to with sexual orientation.  Although she did mention that she brings a positive global perspective to her City.

Per Mayor Parker’s Website just moments ago:

To my Friends, Supporters and all Houstonians,

In this campaign, I met many Houstonians. 

I met fathers worried about finding a good job. I met mothers worried about crime. I met young men and women who only want a chance for a good education. Families worried about taxes. Homeowners who just want to protect the neighborhood they love. Hear me: the city is on your side.

I learned about the problems and the needs and the hopes of our city at the neighborhood level, where families work and live. This election has changed the world for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, just as this election is about transforming Houstonians’ lives for the better.

Let us begin from this moment to join as one community, united in the goal of making Houston the city it could be, should be, can be and will be. That’s what this city will be about under my administration.

Houston is a city that invites entrepreneurs – and shelters evacuees. A diverse city. A city built on dreams powered by hard work, creativity, common sense and cooperation.

Public service is a noble calling, and I appreciate that Gene Locke was willing to answer this call. He is a man who has been deeply involved in our community for many years and I hope he will continue to serve Houston. I wish for him and his family the very best.

Let me close by saying that while this is an exciting night, it is also a humbling experience. Our citizens deserve our best effort and I pledge to give them an administration that values honesty, integrity and transparency above all else. My administration will be concerned with only one interest: the public good.

Thank you so much. Together, we will make a difference.

Blogged by Melanie Nathan.  Dear Melanie,

Maria Trumpler and Kathryn Dudley – Published: November 27, 2009 in NY Times.

Maria Jean Trumpler and Kathryn Marie Dudley were married Monday by the Rev. Johanna Nichols at the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society in Middlebury, Vt.

Ms. Trumpler (left) 48, is the director of the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies at Yale and a senior lecturer in women’s gender and sexuality studies. She graduated from Princeton and received a Ph.D. in the history of medicine and life sciences from Yale. She is a daughter of Irma and William Trumpler of St. Pete Beach, Fla.

Ms. Dudley, 50, is a professor of American Studies and anthropology at Yale. She is the author of “Debt and Dispossession: Farm Loss in America’s Heartland” and “The End of the Line: Lost Jobs, New Lives in Postindustrial America.” She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and received a Ph.D. in anthropology from Columbia.  She is a daughter of Jack Dudley of Racine, Wis., and the late Marcia Dudley, who lived in Guilford, Conn.

Congratulations to the Couple from Melanie Nathan and Lez Get Real.  Visibility is our true champion. Thank you.

Blogged by Melanie Nathan, www.privatecourts.com;
www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com;
Contact Nathan@privatecourts.com

My mom blames California for me being a lesbian. “Everything was fine until you moved out there.” “That’s right, Mom, we have mandatory lesbianism in West Hollywood. The Gay Patrol busted me, and I was given seven business days to add a significant amount of flannel to my wardrobe.

~

via Speak Equal.

Coley Sohn started out as a theater actor in her native Washington DC and made her way west.

Other acting credits include recurring roles on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and 90210. Coley also writes, improvises, and has a penchant for real estate.

In fact, Coley says she bought the house BOUTONNIERE was shot in and flipped it post production to pay for the entire project.

Currently, Coley working on getting the feature version, SASSY PANTS, ready to shoot, as well as another screenplay she recently completed entitled DODIE AND CHERYL GET HITCHED.

Natasia Langfelder is an aspiring fiction writer; known for her gritty realism.

A born and bred Brooklyn girl, New York City and Lesbians are both recurrent themes in her unique literature.

Natasia is also a full time event planner, bringing the same edgy energy to her events as she does to her writing.

Natasia currently lives in Queens with her girlfriend and their tiny yorkie. Natasia’s favorite hobby is shopping.

You can visit her on facebook, here: http://www.facebook.com/Natasiarose

Tanya Colon is a lesbian mom living in the Los Angeles area.

Seen here with her girlfriend Yvonne (her girlfriend is on the right), Tanya is an in-home caregiver and enjoys spending time with her son and girlfriend when she has a day off.

Determined to do what she can to provide for her family, she is also the ‘Local Lesbian Avon Lady’.

You can usually see her driving around her community with a rainbow bumper sticker, dropping off Avon catalogs or delivering orders with her son by her side. Along with her efforts in her community she also maintains her own Avon website which can be found at youravon.com/tanyacolon.

]]> http://lezgetreal.com/?feed=rss2&p=18782 1 http://lezgetreal.com/?p=18533 http://lezgetreal.com/?p=18533#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:08:35 +0000 ~Julie Phineas~ http://lezgetreal.com/?p=18533

Tatiana Santos is a 33 year old Brazilian who shares her life with her wife Carol (since 2000) and 4 dogs, since they chose to have dogs instead of  having kids.

Tatiana works in hotel management and also keeps her site meninadigital.com in her spare time. Her passions in life are: gadgets, the world wide web, pets, and green products.

Carol has been going thru chemo treatment for 3 yrs now, so life is not always easy for them, but Tatiana says that those are the moments when they are able to see how important it is to find a true love in life!

You can visit Tatiana Santos on meninadigital.com or on Twitter at twitter.com/tatigui.

Mary Catherine Benge is in her sixth year as an Austin, Texas resident and her third year as a student at St. Edward’s University.

English, writing, and rhetoric is her major.

She has been proudly open about her sexuality for a mere year and a half. Yet, she claims that time as being most influential thus far.

Mary Catherine enjoys lacrosse, crochet, reading, writing, coffee shops, shows, and spending time with her friends and family.

You can find out more about her from her profile here.

Melanie Nathan, B.A. LL.B, practiced law in South Africa until immigrating to the US in 1985.

She is the founding CEO of PRIVATE COURTS a consulting firm specializing in conflict resolution, mediation for family and business, personal advocacy, multi-organization consensus building and strategy development. She is passionate about LGBT equality, especially immigration issues and was the lead advocate on the Shirley Tan deportation case. She writes about anything that tips the scales of justice.

Her full and complete bio can be found at www.visualcv.com/melnathan.

]]> http://lezgetreal.com/?feed=rss2&p=13219 0 http://lezgetreal.com/?p=12679 http://lezgetreal.com/?p=12679#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 06:00:18 +0000 ~Julie Phineas~ http://lezgetreal.com/?p=12679

Robin McGehee who resides in Fresno, California is a lesbian activist as well as an instructor at The College of the Sequoias.

Robin strongly believes strongly that “When we Speak, We Shape the World!”

Robin McGehee received her M.A. in Human Communication with an emphasis on public speaking and interpersonal communication from California State University, Fresno. In 2001, McGehee was honored with the Martin Luther King, Jr. award for her work with Youth Empowerment and currently works part-time for the Gay-Straight Alliance Network. She also works for Fresno REEL Pride as their Development Director handling sponsorships.

In her free time she enjoys traveling and spending time with her wife of 11 years, Dr. Kathy Adams of Cal State Fresno, her 6 year old son, Sebastian, and 2 year old daughter, Jackson.

After being asked to resign as PTA President of Sebastian’s school in 2008, Robin has given her talents to organizations such as Meet in The Middle for Equality and California Prop 8’s Day of Decision.

Joanie Beasley is 53 and has spent most of her life living in Wilmington, NC.

She married twice and decided to head for greener pastures. She came out right after September 11th because that incident made such an impact on her, and she really realized what was important and what was not. She didn’t want to live a lie, so she let the whole world know she was a lesbian. She always tells people that she didn’t just come out of the closet, she ran up from the basement broke through the door and went up to the roof top to proclaim her new found freedom to the world! Joanie loves plants, outdoors, meeting friends, helping people look for resources that are needed, and she hates injustice.

She is also one half of the couple that brings us the Lickalotta Fest and Camp Lickalotta.

Melanie Ducharme is a visual artist from Rhode Island. Her work has been described as “an exploration into the female psyche. ”

Melanie’s work explores one’s identity, what makes someone who they are, and why?

Melanie believes that identity can be a role or stereotype. She says that there are identities that are imposed on us and ones we create for ourselves. These identities start when we are young, “what will you be when you grow up?” We incorporate these identities into fairy tales or we see them in the role models that we follow … they shape us into the people that we are or are yet to become.

Melanie has been exhibiting her work since 2001. Currently she is an artist member/volunteer at Gallery X, a cooperative art gallery in New Bedford.

You can see her work at Superfluous Designa online here.

Nancy Leedy, RN has two grown children and hails from Michigan though she has spent 18 years in North Carolina.

Nancy has been a RN 20+ years and has seen about everything you can imagine a RN would see. She loves the arts…music, paintings, plays, etc.; and enjoys sitting around a campfire conversing with friends and enjoying a social beverage.

Nancy is a big activist and likes to get active in campaigns where she can make a difference in the world.

She is one half of the couple that brings us the Lickalotta Fest and Camp Lickalotta. Nancy says that Camp Lickalotta (formerly Bushstock) is about bringing our whole community together for love, laughter, and life; in hopes of one day having a place of our own where people can congregate for years to come. Nancy also loves to ride ATV’s, look at tattoos, enjoy bands, motorcycles, old cars and loves the art world.

Mallorie is a lesbian vocalist from Texas who has been recording albums since she was in high school.

Inspired by pop artists like Michael Jackson, Mallorie has used her newest song, entitled “One Love”, to spread the message of equality in response to California’s Proposition 8. Other songs by Mallorie such as “There She Goes” and “Just You” have earned her the title of ‘Sapphic Songstress’ by Spaz Talk Radio. In an interview with the lesbian podcast, Mallorie says that her music is for everyone, and she hopes that she can open the door for other out lesbians in the music industry who might have previously had the door shut in their face. You can listen to Mallorie’s music on her MySpace page here, and watch her videos on YouTube here.

Kayla Tate is a 19 year old currently working at a restaurant in beautiful British Columbia.

Kayla recently graduated from high school and is currently deciding on whether to go to college for carpentry or cooking as these are two of her passions. Kayla also writes for LezGetReal and is happily taken by her lovely girlfriend of over two years who she hopes to marry soon. They recently got their own place to live together and are very happy about that.

Kayla loves the outdoors and skateboarding, and also enjoys reading books “especially Queer Lit”.

She collects anything with Spiderman on it, she loves fruits and vegetables but can’t say no to a steak or a burger once in awhile.   Kayla  loves to wear shorts so when you see her in jeans it must be a special occasion. You can read more about Kayla Tate on her Deviant Art page here.

Glennisha is a Detroit native who has been passionate about writing ever since elementary school.

During her younger days she wrote short stories, plays, poems, and she kept a diary. When her elementary school started a newspaper she was ecstatic and that is what caused her to gain interest in journalism. She attended University of Florida’s Summer Journalism Institute during her junior year of high school and that made her realize that even though she loves writing, she is a journalist at heart.

During her writing career Glennisha has interview people like Chester French, Deborah Cox, Bobby Valentino, Kaira Akita, and Miss Rap Supreme’s Byata.

Glennisha currently contributes to Clutch Magazine and ThinkGirl.net, aside from Lez Get Real. She is also a regular blogger for Milkshake Kicks. In addition, Glennisha maintains a blog that she created exclusively for female Emcees called The Fembassy. You can find out more about her, and her writing services, at Glennisha the Writer.com.

Daryl Kiera Zbitnew is an aspiring photographer born and raised in Victoria, BC Canada.

Out, proud and happily taken by Lez Get Real’s own Kayla Tate, she enjoys reading, drawing, exploring, playing video games, spending time with close friends, and of course, her morning coffee.

Writing has always been a passion of Daryl’s. She recently began posting her writings online here. Along with writing, another one of Daryl’s favorite past times is photography. Her gallery is slowly filling up with some truly great photos. You can view her gallery online at deviantart.com here.

Bridget is a trans-lesbian who lives in Vermont.

She has a BA in history and is working towards her masters degree. Bridgette enjoys sci-fi, fantasy, manga, anime, cartoons, action movies and video games. She loves to write and has a strong passion for LGBTI rights, and puts that love and passion into writing here on LezGetReal.

For now, Bridgette is single, as she plans to wait until she is further into the transition process to date. You can read all about the unique experiences of being a trans-lesbian from Bridgette’s perspective right here on LezGetReal.com, or visit her on her profile on our social network here.

Kenia aka Lezzie

“I’m the beginning and the dawn of a clean day,
I am my work.
I’m a bit of everything I’ve read
and a lot of what my friends are.
I am my thoughts.
I am mine.”

Kenia is a Philosophy and English teacher living in Brazil. In her free time she likes reading, writing, blogging, listening to music, and going to the movies. Kenia, aka Lezzie, is also a writer for LezGetReal.com. When asked to describe herself she says, “I do craftswork as a hobbie. I LOVE sunflowers but there are days even they can’t make me happy. I prefer rainy days to sunny ones. I love photography. I can’t dance.”

You can learn more about Kenia, aka Lezzie, from her profile here.

Spaz is a Brooklyn Queer Caster and Blogger who enjoys laughing and inspiring other lesbians.

She says, “I do my best to reach out to my beautiful (lesbian) community via pod cast, blog, and even some You Tube videos. I believe we can start changing this world and I’m working on it through the gift of gab and involvement.” Look for Spaz online at Spaz Talk Radio, where she talks about hot topics like ‘The L Word Sexcapades’ and ‘Lezbonics’. You can also find her sharing her views on YouTube and reaching out to lesbians online via MySpace and her Spaz Talk Blog.

Nicole Terry

“I am on the infinite endeavor towards the concept of I.”

Nicole Terry is a creative artist in Pennsylvania. She takes interest in permaculture, sustainable agriculture, freedom, alternative energy, painting and writing. Her website Nicole Terry Creates showcases her art in the form of writing, poetry, paintings, drawings, motion art videos and more. She lives by the words “I am not afraid. I am not in fear. I am not a Label or Role or Personality or Identity. I am alive and I will to live free.”

Andi Marquette

Andi Marquette is western-born and bred.

She escaped a life of academia and instead opted to go the wordsmith/starving artist route for a while even as she hopes her tinfoil hats don’t mess up her fabulous bouffant. Her most recent release is Friends in High Places available now through Bedazzled Ink. For more Andi you can visit her website at andimarquette.com.
 

Niki from Dyke Drama

Niki is a geek trapped in a sea of geeks in Silicon Valley.

Raised in OC, she escaped from the Orange Curtain in 2005 to the safety of the Bay Area where she lives with her partner and their 12 year old Son. Niki is also half of the DykeDrama duo. DykeDrama – The Podcast can be listened to here.

Kathy Young

Kathy Young is an activist, martial arts instructor and blogger from Arizona.

She is a regular contributor to LezGetReal.com and is living an All American life – two kids, a girl and a boy, a dog and a wonderful partner to share it with. She has been practicing Taekwondo for over 20 years and is a 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor. She is a Board of Governor for the Human Rights Campaign and an LGBT activist. Her political & media commentary has appeared on C-Span, and CSPAN.org.

You can read more by Kathy Young on her personal blog, Thoughts from a Lezzy Mom.

Stacy Schrack

Stacy Schrack is an award-winning art director and creative consultant specializing in corporate branding for the past 14 years.

Stacy and her partner of almost 10 years, Staci (yes, they share the same name) reside in Orlando, Florida with their daughter, Bean and their three rescue dogs. Stacy participates in Central Florida’s LGBTQ family organizations, protests, parades, and awareness campaigns. In 2008, this designer-mom was inspired to create Grow By Love to enrich, support and celebrate all families. Currently, Stacy and her partner are diligently working on developing apparel and other products for Grow By Love. You can find out more from her Grow By Love Blog.

The Featured Lesbian of The Week is Brought to You By:

Major Margaret WittA True American Hero…

In her career of 18-plus years, the decorated operating room and flight nurse from McChord Air Force Base earned stellar reviews for her work, which included helping to evacuate the nation’s wounded troops and humanitarian missions to aid civilians. In 1993, Maj.Witt was a poster woman for the Air Force’s flight nurse recruiting program. In 2003, she was awarded the Air Medal for her Middle East deployment and, later, the Air Force Commendation Medal, for saving the life of a Defense Department worker.

Less than a year later, after an Air Force investigation, Witt, a reservist, was drummed out of the Air Force. Her offense: a committed relationship, with another woman, a civilian, from 1997 to 2003 in their home, miles from any military base. In 2006 she filed a lawsuit challenging her suspension as a violation of her rights under the Constitution’s “equal protection” clause. You can find out more about Major Witt and her heroism here.

The Featured Lesbian of The Week is Brought to You By:

Jenime

Jenime, formerly a NYC private investigator, now dedicates her penetrating gaze to the success of our Civil Rights movement.

She lives, fights, and loves in the SF bay area while striving to create art that makes me people sit up, and realize that they are alive in the most exciting time in human history. She’ll stand beside you no matter what is coming, and hopes you’ll do the same. You can watch her musings and ravings any time by visiting her channel on YouTube @ youtube.com/Jenime.

The Featured Lesbian of The Week is Brought to You By:

Julie Phineas

Julie Phineas is a lesbian mom living in Southern California, and an Executive Editor of LezGetReal.com.

She divorced from her children’s father in 2003 and is now in a committed lesbian relationship with her wife, Gina. She is also considered a Blog Author and an Online Socialite, and wrote the book “How to Work from Home Online” which you can find here. Most of her time is devoted to her family and her interests include self improvement, working from home, spirituality, health & wellness, fashion & beauty, and socializing online. Feel free to visit her profile on Blogger for links to all of her blogs, or visit her page on MySpace to learn more about her and see more of her personal photos.

Paula Brooks

Paula “The Surf Mom” Brooks lives in the Outer Bank of North Carolina with her partner Debbie, their twin daughters Halie and Kyma and her hearing helper dog Sammy, where they own and operate a vacation home rental business.

She has been an Internet publisher for over 5 years. Paula, who is hearing impaired, is also an educator for the hearing impaired and a tireless campaigner for LGBT rights and Gay Marriage. A life long Surfer Girl, who currently owns no less then 12 surfboards, Paula has traveled the world looking for the perfect wave and that search has taken her as far as Bali, South Africa, The South Pacific, Hawaii, and Europe. Paula is also an Executive Editor for LezGetReal.com.

The Featured Lesbian of The Week is Brought to You By:

Brittany Marie

Brittany Marie is a recent graduate of California State University Northridge, with a B.A. in T.V. Production.

She is currently searching for a full time job in post production for television. Her aspirations are in editing trailers, promos, and commercials. Among her friends and acquaintances she is known for her own personal style and never ending amount of rainbow accessories. Brittany Marie is also the author of our weekly column Lez Be Fashionable.

The Featured Lesbian of The Week is Brought to You By:

Stereo Stef

Stereo Stef is a single young woman living in the Los Angeles area.

She has an admiration for movies, prioritizing LGBT films; and a passion for music, exploring all genres. She loves to attend gigs but she’d rather be jamming, playing bass guitar, or be out with friends. She likes the nightlife (bars, clubs, and shows)! You can find out more about her by visiting her MySpace page or reading her blog posts on Lez Get Real.

The Featured Lesbian of The Week is Brought to You By:

‘The Busy Beaver’

The Busy Beaver is an award-winning, published playwright who previously wrote a sex and home improvement advice column for OurChart.

She currently blogs about random topics on lezbang.com. After many years spent living in Washington DC, she moved to West Virginia, where she has renovated two rental cabins and continues to renovate her 1920 Sears house. She also plays drums in two different bands and is learning to enjoy the West Virginia biker bar scene.

Along with Pugs, she writes our weekly column The Sex Slog, and is the co-owner of Come Together Gift Baskets, which specializes in sensual gift baskets for women. Check out the website for more information. If you’ve got a burning lesbian sex question, drop them a line at love@cometogethergiftbaskets.com.

Jules Joyce

Jules Joyce is a breast cancer conqueror who received a B.A. in English from the University of Notre Dame and studied for a M.A. in Playwriting at Smith College. She spends most of her time on her Mac working on her memoir and producing her blog, The Fighter Writer.

Cyndi Wiley

After being fired from her job
at a design firm in 1999 for being a lesbian, Cyndi decided it was time to work from a grassroots level to educate the general public about LGBTQA issues.

She volunteered for organizations geared toward the LGBTQA community, fought through her own homophobia and marched in her first gay pride parade in 2002. She now runs her own design studio, Studio3b, and her work has been recognized in PRINT magazine (March 2003), Curve magazine (July 2007), the Esquire magazine (Feb. 2005), Fortune magazine (July 2005), the documentary movie The Asphalt Gospel and Episode 384 of The Rachael Ray Show.

Lisa Maurel, MFT

Lisa Maurel produces an excellent online newsletter for lesbians that you can subscribe to here.

She has been a therapist for 14 years specializing in helping lesbian women and their partners create the lives they want.

She also provides therapy for gender variant and transgender clients and their families thru Gender Path.com.