Let’s Hear It for the Bridegroom Kid

Once upon a time, Shane Bitney Crone and Tom Bridegroom were in love.

But then a tragic accident in 2011 tore them asunder, and since the pair didn’t have any protections to legally recognize them as a couple – to legally recognize their love – Crone was completely shut out of Bridegroom’s funeral and everything else pertaining to his affairs.

Legally, the Bridegroom family – who, unlike the Crones, did not support Shane and Tom – could do that to him.

Change was much to late to this party, unfortunately.

Later this month, Oprah’s OWN will show Bridegroom, a documentary chronicling these two young men’s relationship as well as the injustice of a system that is now, finally, beginning to change for and toward equality.

This story first became news when Crone posted a video on YouTube in May 2012 warning same-sex couples this could happen to them. Fingers crossed, it will not. It doesn’t have. It never did.

Bridegroom, will air on OWN on Oct. 27:

Do check it out!