Top-Rated Speakers Bureau and Entertainment Booking Agency for Corporate Meetings and Business Events. Book an AAE Speaker Today.
Top-Rated Speakers Bureau and Entertainment Booking Agency for Corporate Meetings and Business Events. Book an AAE Speaker Today.
Click to Open Search Bar

Shane Bitney Crone

Speaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker Rating
5 out of 5

Filmmaker, Writer & LGBTQ Advocate Known for "Bridegroom"

REQUEST BOOKING INFORMATION

Shane Bitney Crone Biography

Shane Bitney Crone is an LGBT advocate, writer, and speaker. He grew up in rural Montana, which presented a number of challenges as he grew up and struggled with his identity. He dealt with depression, anxiety, and bullying. He moved to Los Angeles in 2004 to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, but more importantly to live in a more LGBTQ-friendly environment. Through a mutual friend, Crone met the love of his life, Tom Bridegroom, who was working as an actor and television host. Together they traveled the world, started a successful business, and promised to get married when it would be recognized by the federal government.

After being in love for nearly six years, Tom tragically died after accidentally falling from a four-story apartment building. The pain of losing Tom was compounded when Crone was denied access to Tom in the emergency room (since the two were not legally recognized as a couple) and when he was threatened and forbidden by Tom's parents to attend Tom's funeral.

Crone spent the following year depressed, confused, and frustrated. He decided he wanted to do something not only to honor Tom, but also to educate others about what had happened and how they could prevent similar misfortune in the wake of an unexpected tragedy. On the one year anniversary of Tom's death, Crone uploaded a video to YouTube called "It Could Happen to You." Unexpectedly, the video went viral within a matter of days and has since been viewed over 20 million times on YouTube and other social media platforms. GLAAD named it one of the "Most Inspiring Videos That Helped Push Equality Forward." In 2015, Entertainment Weekly said that the video played a significant role in the push for nationwide marriage equality.

Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, an accomplished director/producer/writer who is best known for creating the hit show “Designing Women,” was inspired by the YouTube video and approached Crone about turning his story into a feature-length documentary. They launched a Kickstarter campaign; the film became the most successful crowd-funding project at the time, surpassing their initial goal with the help of over 6,500 contributors. The film, Bridegroom: A Love Story, Unequaled premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival where it was introduced by President Bill Clinton.

Bridegroom had a limited theatrical release in October 2013 and made its television premiere on the Oprah Winfrey Network, after Oprah herself became inspired by Crone's story. The film received favorable reviews from The New York Times, LA Times, and The Hollywood Reporter. It received audience awards at dozens of film festivals, won GLAAD's Best Documentary award (2014), and was named Best Documentary by The Gay And Lesbian Critics Association (2014). IMDb named it one of the most popular documentaries of 2014. Bridegroom has been available for streaming on Netflix and has become one of Netflix's most popular and highest-rated programs. Notable supporters of the film include Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Demi Lovato, Lily Tomlin, Adam Lambert, and Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Crone has continued to work diligently to ensure that LGBTQ citizens are granted equal rights. He has traveled all over the world to screen Bridegroom and give talks. As of September 2019, he has spoken at nearly 100 universities around the United States. He also gave a TEDx Talk in Amsterdam and delivered the keynote address at the PFLAG Conference in China. Additionally, he was awarded the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Award and was named one of Instinct Magazine's Leading Men, one of Out Magazine's Out 100, and one of Huffington Post's Most Compelling People.

In addition to his public speaking engagements, Crone has been working on a memoir that will delve deeper into his childhood, coming out, and his relationship with Tom, as well as his recovery from the loss of Tom and the discovery of new love.

Videos
FAQs
  • How do I book Shane Bitney Crone to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Shane Bitney Crone for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Shane Bitney Crone, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Shane Bitney Crone or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Shane Bitney Crone

    Speaking fees for Shane Bitney Crone, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Shane Bitney Crone are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Shane Bitney Crone, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Shane Bitney Crone speak about?

    Shane Bitney Crone is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Activism, Actors, Culture, Diversity Speakers, Education, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, LGBTQ, Mental Health, Television Stars, University Speakers, Virtual Speakers.
  • Where does Shane Bitney Crone travel from?

    Shane Bitney Crone generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Shane Bitney Crone’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Shane Bitney Crone for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Shane Bitney Crone for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Shane Bitney Crone or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Check Availability

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

Users also viewed these speakers:

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

Filmmaker, Writer & LGBTQ Advocate Known for "Bridegroom"

Travels From:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Speaking Fee:

Shane Bitney Crone Biography

Shane Bitney Crone is an LGBT advocate, writer, and speaker. He grew up in rural Montana, which presented a number of challenges as he grew up and struggled with his identity. He dealt with depression, anxiety, and bullying. He moved to Los Angeles in 2004 to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, but more importantly to live in a more LGBTQ-friendly environment. Through a mutual friend, Crone met the love of his life, Tom Bridegroom, who was working as an actor and television host. Together they traveled the world, started a successful business, and promised to get married when it would be recognized by the federal government.

After being in love for nearly six years, Tom tragically died after accidentally falling from a four-story apartment building. The pain of losing Tom was compounded when Crone was denied access to Tom in the emergency room (since the two were not legally recognized as a couple) and when he was threatened and forbidden by Tom's parents to attend Tom's funeral.

Crone spent the following year depressed, confused, and frustrated. He decided he wanted to do something not only to honor Tom, but also to educate others about what had happened and how they could prevent similar misfortune in the wake of an unexpected tragedy. On the one year anniversary of Tom's death, Crone uploaded a video to YouTube called "It Could Happen to You." Unexpectedly, the video went viral within a matter of days and has since been viewed over 20 million times on YouTube and other social media platforms. GLAAD named it one of the "Most Inspiring Videos That Helped Push Equality Forward." In 2015, Entertainment Weekly said that the video played a significant role in the push for nationwide marriage equality.

Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, an accomplished director/producer/writer who is best known for creating the hit show “Designing Women,” was inspired by the YouTube video and approached Crone about turning his story into a feature-length documentary. They launched a Kickstarter campaign; the film became the most successful crowd-funding project at the time, surpassing their initial goal with the help of over 6,500 contributors. The film, Bridegroom: A Love Story, Unequaled premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival where it was introduced by President Bill Clinton.

Bridegroom had a limited theatrical release in October 2013 and made its television premiere on the Oprah Winfrey Network, after Oprah herself became inspired by Crone's story. The film received favorable reviews from The New York Times, LA Times, and The Hollywood Reporter. It received audience awards at dozens of film festivals, won GLAAD's Best Documentary award (2014), and was named Best Documentary by The Gay And Lesbian Critics Association (2014). IMDb named it one of the most popular documentaries of 2014. Bridegroom has been available for streaming on Netflix and has become one of Netflix's most popular and highest-rated programs. Notable supporters of the film include Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Demi Lovato, Lily Tomlin, Adam Lambert, and Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Crone has continued to work diligently to ensure that LGBTQ citizens are granted equal rights. He has traveled all over the world to screen Bridegroom and give talks. As of September 2019, he has spoken at nearly 100 universities around the United States. He also gave a TEDx Talk in Amsterdam and delivered the keynote address at the PFLAG Conference in China. Additionally, he was awarded the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Award and was named one of Instinct Magazine's Leading Men, one of Out Magazine's Out 100, and one of Huffington Post's Most Compelling People.

In addition to his public speaking engagements, Crone has been working on a memoir that will delve deeper into his childhood, coming out, and his relationship with Tom, as well as his recovery from the loss of Tom and the discovery of new love.

Shane Bitney Crone Videos

  • Rayvon Owen and Shane Bitney Crone Talk About Their Engagement
    Rayvon Owen and Shane Crone got engaged at a Demi Lovato concert, but they are holding off on planning their wedding until Rayvon's entire family is...
  • LGBTQ advocate Shane Bitney Crone at Livermore Lab
    In honor of Pride Month, Shane Bitney Crone, an award-winning LGBTQ+ rights advocate, came to Livermore Lab to share his powerful story. Crone's...
  • Equality | Interview with Shane Bitney Crone
    Mike Masi interviewed Shane Bitney Crone for "Equality" during his screening of Bridegroom. Shane spoke about "It Could Happen to You," conversion...

Speaker Lists Featuring Shane Bitney Crone

FAQs on booking Shane Bitney Crone

  • How do I book Shane Bitney Crone to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Shane Bitney Crone for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Shane Bitney Crone, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Shane Bitney Crone or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Shane Bitney Crone

    Speaking fees for Shane Bitney Crone, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Shane Bitney Crone are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Shane Bitney Crone, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Shane Bitney Crone speak about?

    Shane Bitney Crone is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Activism, Actors, Culture, Diversity Speakers, Education, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, LGBTQ, Mental Health, Television Stars, University Speakers, Virtual Speakers.
  • Where does Shane Bitney Crone travel from?

    Shane Bitney Crone generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Shane Bitney Crone’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Shane Bitney Crone for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Shane Bitney Crone for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Shane Bitney Crone or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Shane Bitney Crone is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Shane Bitney Crone for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. Shane Bitney Crone generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Yoruba Richen, Chris Mosier, Sophie Santos, Daniel Franzese and Samy Nour Younes Figaredo. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Shane Bitney Crone for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Shane Bitney Crone Speaker Videos

  • Rayvon Owen and Shane Bitney Crone Talk About Their Engagement
    Rayvon Owen and Shane Crone got engaged at a Demi Lovato concert, but they are holding off on planning their wedding until Rayvon's entire family is supportive of their relationship.
    LGBTQ advocate Shane Bitney Crone at Livermore Lab
    In honor of Pride Month, Shane Bitney Crone, an award-winning LGBTQ+ rights advocate, came to Livermore Lab to share his powerful story. Crone's story was produced into a full-length documentary in...
  • Equality | Interview with Shane Bitney Crone
    Mike Masi interviewed Shane Bitney Crone for "Equality" during his screening of Bridegroom. Shane spoke about "It Could Happen to You," conversion therapy and the recent discrimination against the...
    The Power of the Personal Story | Shane Bitney Crone | TEDxAUCollege
    The theme of Amsterdam University College's TEDx event was "Changing the Game." Crone was an obvious choice to join this conference, as he has most certainly changed the game of LGBT activism and...

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

Speakers Similar to Shane Bitney Crone

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP