Surviving the Silence.  

 

This is the documentary film of Colonel Pat Thompson and her (now spouse) Barbara Brass living a closeted life while Pat was in the military, including a tour as Chief Nurse of the National Guard at the Pentagon in 1986.  

 

Colonel Thompson was President of the Administrative Board that discharged me from the military.  Colonel Thompson, a lesbian, had to discharge Colonel Cammermeyer, a lesbian, for being a lesbian.  

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The interplay between Serving in Silence and Surviving the Silence which is unique and prophetic.  

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Both films illustrate the cost of the prohibition against homosexuals serving in the military.  Serving in Silence depicts the loss of a career, while Surviving the Silence depicts the cost of serving under such regulations.

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The vindication for all who fought for open service was when there was the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 2010 signed by President Obama.  

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The film is currently touring in film festivals hoping for national distribution at a later date.  Information on upcoming festivals can be obtained on the web site: https://www.survivingthesilence.com