By Jim Larkin
FLINT –
Genesee County PFLAG will be closing its Friday Night Film and Discussion series on July 31 with one of the hottest issues facing the gay community: the country's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
The film "Serving in Silence" starring Glen Close will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Flint, 2472 S. Ballenger Highway, and will be followed by a discussion of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" led by Jay Kaplan, ACLU staff attorney.
The national PFLAG and its chapters are now urging everyone to contact their elective representative to urge the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and to co-sponsor The Military Readiness Enhancement Act. Since the inception of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in 1993, more than 12,000 lesbian, gay and bisexual service members have been dismissed under the law, according to PFLAG's website.
"Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story" is the true story of a decorated officer's legal challenge to her involuntary discharge when she admitted she was a lesbian. Lead actress Close and supporting actress Judy Davis both won Emmy Awards for their performances in the made for TV movie and Allison Cross won an Emmy for outstanding individual achievement in writing for a miniseries or a special.
The movie was also nominated for three Golden Globes, for Close's and Davis's performances and for best motion picture made for TV, and was named "Outstanding TV Movie" at the 1996 GLAAD Media Awards.
Refreshments will be served and a 50/50 drawing will be held. There is no admission cost but free will offering will be accepted.
For more information on the Genesee County PFLAG, go to http://www.pflagflint.org.
