Serving In Silence: Reaction Questions

1. Describe these reactions:

A. Military: Due to military regulations, it is seen unacceptable and immoral. Some of her friends in the military don't seem to be bothered by it, but most agree that she should be removed due to the regulation that forbids homosexuality. 
B. Father: He initially seems to not know how to react (he responds to her letter with a mere two sentences) and doesn't accept it. When he finally does, he wants it to be a secret.
C. Children Each Son (s): The three oldest ones are completely okay with it, and they even say that they already knew. The youngest, however, is in denial right up until the end of the movie, when he finally reconciliates with his mother. 

2. Margarethe's decision to tell 

A. the military: Surprisingly to her, they asked her during an interview for a promotion and she felt she shouldn't lie. 
B. her children: She feels forced to tell them due to the potential lawsuit; she'd rather have them find out from her.
C. her father: Same as above, she tells decides to tell him before the confrontation with the military. She lets him know through a letter that takes her a long time to write. 

3. What is your reaction to this true story? Do you believe that she should have kept her secret or told it to everyone? Explain your reasons why. 

I enjoyed the movie, though I admit I was a little shocked at how relatable it is to recent events in my life. I'd rather not elaborate much on this due to their private nature, but I will say that I thought the movie was good and the story was a very interesting and important one that I had not heard of. I believe she did the right thing by letting everyone know; there are few worse pains than having to hide an important part of yourself from your family and loved ones. (EDIT: I don't know why this section looks smaller on the blog, but I can't quite find how to fix it. Sorry.)

(Stole an idea from a classmate again, though I used a different pic.) On the left is Margarethe Cammermeyer, and on the right is the cover art for the movie, featuring Glenn Close, the actress who portrayed her.

5. (?) How would Dr. Kinsey explain the Margarethe Cammermeyer's sexuality?
She is a mother of 4 boys so how can she be lesbian? Is it her choice?

We debated this extensively in class, and we couldn't come to an agreement on exactly where on the Kinsey Scale she could be classified. I find it hard to use this scale because I believe one moves through it. I think it's possible that she didn't know she was homosexual until she fell in love with a woman; this could help explain how she is a mother despite being a lesbian. I don't think she is "any less of a lesbian" (as odd and ridiculous as that sounds) because she has kids; if she feels she is a lesbian, then she is. Ultimately, I believe she would be a 4 on the Kinsey Scale due to the fact that she lived as a heterosexual woman until the events in the story. Finally, I don't think anyone chooses to be heterosexual or homosexual; I certainly don't remember choosing to be heterosexual. Therefore, I don't think it's her choice, it's just who she is. 

6.What does Margarethe believe about her sexuality as it relates to her identity?

She believes that it is an important part of her identity (hence her decision to expose it to the world), but that it doesn't change the rest of her identity and personality.