An American gay man’s moving marriage equality video about the tragic death of his boyfriend and the traumatic events that followed has become an internet sensation.
Shane Bitney Crone produced the 10-minute film It Could Happen to You, which recounts his six year relationship with Tom Bridegroom, and posted it on the anniversary of Bridegroom’s death on May 7.
“It has been said that sharing personal stories is one of the most effective ways to change people’s hearts and minds. This is my story and I hope you are inspired to share it with others,” Crone wrote in the YouTube description of the video.
The two men planned to get married when it became legal but, following Bridegroom’s accidental death, Crone was rejected and threatened with violence by Bridegroom’s family and was left with no rights to his partner’s estate and body.
According to the government, he says, the couple were nothing more than “mere roommates”.
“I can’t just stand back any more,” an emotional Crone says in the video. “Maybe that’s why this all happened. I just don’t know if people will listen… I guess no one will listen if I don’t talk – so I’m talking.”
Crone was only able to say his final goodbye to his boyfriend by sneaking into his hometown to visit his grave.
“I did not make this video to attack his family… I hope that instead of getting angry about the video, they change,” Crone told OutCast.
He added: “I hope that people watch this. They can look at Tom, they can look at me… we are just two human beings who wanted to love each other. What’s so wrong with that?”
The video has been viewed over 1.8 million times. Watch it below.
0 Comments
This video is seriously an eye opener- it makes me highly appreciative of my rights as a South African citizen. Caution: water works for a week
Implying it is very VERY sad!
My heart bleeds for them.This should be exposed to more people. Ellen should show this.I bet his parents are “christians”
… and spoken you have, in a strong resounding voice amidst a tragic journey!
How very very sad. Thanks God we can marry without problems in this country
I can so relate to this video. Going through the same difficulties with the in laws. They just have no idea what they are putting their own children through yet they do all of these damage in the name of God…
At least you can marry in SA and then they have no say.
2 million views and counting.
May these spiteful, inconsiderate, unloving, uncaring and cold-hearted parents one day receive Gods mercy, but until then, may it haunt them until they repent to God, to you and also the parents of others do the same, for the agony they put their so-called loved ones through. May God grant you the grace and wisdom to be a change agent of society.
The land of the free!!!!!! And caring!!!! As long as you are straight……….. Ps. True Christians do not behave in such a way.
The land of the free!!!!!! And caring!!!! As long as you are straight……….. Ps. True Christians do not behave in such a way.
Its a very sad story, but it even still happening in South Africa. As he said they should have a will and some sort of contract to protect them. As a broker I can still say that even the straights who live together dont worry about these things not before it happens.
Mostly people dont think that they can die tomorrow, doesnt matter what there age are.
What a sad and moving video… it has given me a lot to think about.
My lover of 14 years died on 10 December 2010 suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack. He was only 37 years old at the time and was fit and healthy. I was married before I met him and he helped my raised my two boys who are now all grown up. We were a family in every possible way. My 14 years with him were the happiest time of my life. Will always love you Carl!! We did not marry but in my eyes we were married…
SO SAD…A PITY PEOPLE WAKE UP TO LATE.I AM IN A 35 YEAR RELATIONSHIP AND BEING MARRIED FOR 3.THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRAIGHT AND GAY RELATIONSHIPE BUT THE SEXUAL ACTIVITY…..JEAN