Filmmaker Cindy L. Abel, Colonel Patsy Thompson and Barbara Brass talk about their documentary “Surviving The Silence” with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. In 1992 Colonel Thompson was a decorated Army nurse just two years away from her retirement after serving her country for over thirty years from conflict zones to working inside the Pentagon. At this trajectory of her career she was asked to preside over the military review board that eventually dismissed Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer for admitting she was a lesbian. For Thompson that trial was perhaps the hardest assignment in her long military career because she had to confront her own moral dilemma that she too was a lesbian and living privately with her life partner Barbara Brass for many years. After Colonel Cammermeyer’s dismissal she became a vocal opponent of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and eventually was reinstated thanks to Colonel Thompson’s handling of her military trial. This underlying story remained a secret until 2013 when Thompson and her now wife Barbara Brass decided to go public for the very first time at a college speaking engagement in Northern California. Much to their delight the speech received a resounding standing ovation empowering them to continue their journey as out and proud lesbians who are visibly committed to using their unique life experience in pursuit of social justice and activism. We asked Filmmaker Cindy L. Abel, Colonel Patsy Thompson and Barbara Brass what they hope to accomplish with “Surviving The Silence” and their spin on our LGBTQ issues.
Filmmaker Cindy L. Abel formed Atlantis Moon Productions to develop projects that launch conversations and impact popular culture. She directed and produced the award-winning “Breaking Through” a documentary in which openly LGBTQ elected officials share their stories of self-doubt and triumph over multiple barriers, revealing a deeply personal, rarely seen side of LGBTQ politicians. Colonel Patsy Thompson’s journey from Troy, North Carolina to nursing school and then a distinguished military career led her to navigate living her life on her own terms. Barbara Brass as the daughter of Holocaust survivors and a pacifist is proud of Thompson’s ascension in the military while also feeling angry that they needed to be silent and invisible to protect her career. Currently they are all working hard to stop the hate in this country and get out the vote for the upcoming 2020 presidential election to protect our democracy. “Surviving The Silence” directed by Cindy L. Abel and produced by Marc Smolowitz with soundtrack provided by Denise Gentilini.
For More Info: survivingthesilence.com
LISTEN: 500+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES
