‘Surviving The Silence’ Follows Two Women In Love Who Helped Change The Course Of Military History
Col. Pat Thompson was a highly decorated army nurse who had to keep her identity as a lesbian a secret for many years.
Surviving the Silence
One would think that those who serve their country with loyalty and valor would be celebrated, but that has not been true in the U.S. military until very recently. A new documentary “Surviving the Silence” reveals struggles, discrimination, and triumph over adversity.
Director Cindy L. Abel and producer Marc Smolowitz joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom ahead of the Out on Film virtual showing.
Film synopsis from director Cindy L. Abel: 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 as well. The way Thompson handled the military trial, however, led 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.
Col. Thompson and her partner Brass had to keep their relationship a secret for many years out of fear of being discharged from the army.
“You know there were witch hunts. And Col. Thompson talks in our film, ‘Surviving the Silence,’ about having friends who were discharged purely under suspicion of having been lesbians,” said Abel.
In 2013, the two shared their story publicly for the first time in front of an audience. Abel was in the theater that night and decided to create a compelling film about their journey.
“As I learned the connection to LGBTQ history, history that would eventually help dismantle the anti-gay and lesbian policy of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ I thought ‘wow, how could a story-teller resist such a story?’ A love story that reveals unknown history,” said Abel.
The film will be shown virtually Thursday as part of the Out on Film Festival’s opening night. There will be a live Q&A following the 7 p.m. showing.
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