Cindy L. Abel

In Breaking Through, openly LGBT elected officials - including the first openly gay US Senator, Tammy Baldwin - share their stories of self-doubt and triumph over multiple barriers, revealing a deeply personal, rarely-seen side of politicians and gay people. As they show what is possible, they give hope to struggling people from all walks of life.

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.

In Breaking Through, openly LGBT elected officials - including the first openly gay US Senator, Tammy Baldwin - share their stories of self-doubt and triumph over multiple barriers, revealing a deeply personal, rarely-seen side of politicians and gay people. As they show what is possible, they give hope to struggling people from all walks of life.

In Breaking Through, openly LGBT elected officials - including the first openly gay US Senator, Tammy Baldwin - share their stories of self-doubt and triumph over multiple barriers, revealing a deeply personal, rarely-seen side of politicians and gay people. As they show what is possible, they give hope to struggling people from all walks of life.

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.