Surviving the Silence (2020)

Years before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Col. Patsy Thompson was forced to expel Army hero Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer for being a lesbian. What no one knew was that Thompson was a lesbian, too. The way Thompson handles the military trial, however, leads to Cammermeyer’s reinstatement via federal court and eventual change in military policy. While Cammermeyer’s memoir was adapted as a 1995 television movie by Barbra Streisand, Thompson’s story remained a secret until now. In addition to revealing history, Surviving the Silence explores Thompson’s life with now-wife Barbara Brass. They candidly share how they wrestled with heart-wrenching choices in public and in private, hiding their relationship,and struggling to protect their love, while preserving Patsy’s career — and how they emerged to become vibrant activists later in life.

Released June 1, 2020 80 min None+

Genres: Documentary, Romance

Keywords: imdb.lgbt, imdb.don-t-ask-don-t-tell, imdb.coming-out, imdb.lgbt-history, imdb.love, imdb.female-veteran, imdb.closeted-homosexual + 13 more, imdb.female-soldier, imdb.gays-in-the-military, imdb.closeted-lesbian, imdb.homosexuality, imdb.short-haired-female, imdb.homophobia, imdb.lesbian-couple, imdb.lesbian-relationship, imdb.lesbian-interest, imdb.military, imdb.lesbian, imdb.independent-film, imdb.homosexual-history