Years before the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, Col. Patsy Thompson had to discharge Army hero Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer due to her sexual orientation. Unbeknownst to many, Thompson was also a lesbian. However, her approach to the military trial eventually led to Cammermeyer’s reinstatement through a federal court decision and a shift in military policy. While Cammermeyer’s memoir was turned into a television movie in 1995 by Barbra Streisand, Thompson’s story remained untold until now. “Surviving the Silence” not only uncovers this hidden history but also delves into Thompson’s life with her now-wife, Barbara Brass. Together, they openly discuss the difficult decisions they faced both publicly and privately, the need to conceal their relationship, and the struggle to safeguard their love while maintaining Patsy’s career. Ultimately, they emerged as passionate activists later in life.