It’s been said that telling our stories is what will make the biggest difference in the end. It’s easy to see the statistics that have changed since more and more people have come out and more and more of our loved ones have changed their minds about support for our equality.
Tom Bridegroom was the host of MTV’s The X Effect in 2006 and 2007. One year ago today, while photographing a model, Tom fell off a rooftop to his death. While his passing was discussed on a handful of websites and amongst friends and fans, very little has been said about his relationship with Shane Bitney Crone.
As any story about a couple that had been together 6 years and then broken apart by tragedy would be, their story is heartbreaking. But what’s different about Tom & Shane’s story is that they were set to marry. And while I could write the story here, Shane has found the courage to tell the story himself 0 in the hopes of spreading the word about the inequalities we face and the irreparable harm it does to our families.
Thank you Shane for your bravery and for telling your story so that others may live to see a day when things are different.
Please watch. And share as much as you can.

Dear Shane i was so touched by your video my heart goes out to you i know it’s been a year know and i can’t say that it will get better but we do learn to go on living without our loved ones, my prayers are with you even though we never met you will always be on my mind for you have touch my heart know that Tom will always be with you in every way possible and will help you along this long road to recovery, thinking of you Shane and praying for you to xxxx Natacha Caissie-Blanchard
Shane, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful memories with us. Your video made me cry. It is 1:30 am on the east coast. I am still watching your video over and over with tears. I am moving back to cali. finally to reunite with my boyfriend/finance this summer, after living apart for 10 years. Had we had right to marry, we could have lived together all those years because he could have sponsored my citizenship.
Please take care of yourself and keep up the good work. You inspire me to invest more energy (and money) in our fights for equality. I hope we will meet some day. You are a courageous man.
Eric
Just so everyone knows, Shane is currently working on a documentary telling his story, dedicated to his beloved Tom.
To support this effort please go to:
BRIDEGROOM An American Love Story http://kck.st/Ky24tE
Telling the story of this tragedy will make a huge difference in the world.
EVERYONE PLEASE SUPPORT THIS!!!