Shane Bitney Crone

Shane Bitney Crone is a filmmaker, writer, speaker, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights whose personal experiences have contributed to national discussions about marriage equality. Raised in rural Montana, Crone faced challenges related to his identity, including depression, anxiety, and bullying. He later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and to live in a more LGBTQ-friendly environment. In Los Angeles, Crone and his partner Tom Bridegroom founded Bridegroom and Bitney, a social media and public relations company focused on supporting emerging artists in the music industry.

Crone gained national attention after releasing the YouTube video "It Could Happen to You," in which he shared the impact of Bridegroom's unexpected death following an accidental fall. The video detailed Crone's experiences with grief and the legal and social challenges he faced, including being denied access to Bridegroom in the hospital and being excluded from the funeral due to the lack of legal recognition for their relationship. The video went viral, reaching millions of viewers and sparking conversations about LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality.

Following the video's success, Crone and his supporters launched a Kickstarter campaign that exceeded its fundraising goal with contributions from more than 6,500 backers. The campaign funded the documentary film "Bridegroom: A Love Story, Unequaled," which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and received the Heineken Audience Award for Documentary. The film had a limited theatrical release and was broadcast on Oprah Winfrey Network. It received positive reviews from Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and Variety, and was supported by public figures including Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Demi Lovato, Lily Tomlin, Adam Lambert, and Cuba Gooding Jr.

Crone has worked with organizations such as GLAAD and Human Rights Campaign, participating in advocacy efforts for marriage equality and LGBTQ rights. He has appeared in interviews on CNN, ABC, E! News, and various radio programs, and has contributed guest posts to GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, The Advocate, and The Huffington Post. As a keynote speaker, Crone addresses topics including LGBTQ issues, civil rights, social activism, diversity and inclusion, mental health, and anti-bullying. He is also working on a memoir exploring his childhood, coming out, relationship with Bridegroom, and personal recovery. Crone's work continues to highlight the importance of equal rights and resilience within the LGBTQ community.