A Life Gone Too Soon… Grieving Partner Fights To Be Recognized (Video)

Posted by Christopher Welch on May 8, 2012 in Bad News | 22 comments

Every day we live without the rights given to married couples is another day GLBT people live as second class citizens. Even with the recent comments from Joe Biden in support of gay marriage, stories like this just show why we simply cannot wait any longer.

Shane Crone thought he had found the love of his life. Despite the violent and hateful attempts from family members to ruin their happiness, Shane and his partner Tom spent 6 loving years together and had made plans to marry when it was recognized by their home State of California.

When tragedy struck and Tom lost his life, Shane became the focus of a campaign of hate from Tom’s family. Not only did he lose the love of his life, he was devastated financially and threatened bodily harm. Rather than sit back and allow this to happen quietly, Shane put together an amazing tribute to Tom and their life together.

Shane has also started a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of same-sex partners’ rights. Head on over to Facebook and become a fan of Shane’s group.

What do you think about Shane’s tribute to Tom?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=592796245 Trenton Flock

I watched it this morning and it has been gnawing at me all day (while watching the polls in NC), and I end up pacing in circles. It’s confusing enough for any of us who are sick of being degraded and bullied and mistreated, but to have all that heaped on you as you lose the love of your life senselessly and suddenly…I don’t know how the fellow kept going, but I’m glad he did.
http://profile.yahoo.com/T7WNLRFDVLJFGDD2BAI4QFXJRI Claire Peterson

Tom did not “take his life.” He was on the roof of an apartment building photographing a friend, tripped backwards and fell. Please edit the article out of respect.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=32404053 Christopher Welch

Thanks for the info. It wasn’t clear in the clip.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Bart-Gorney/674598834 Bart Gorney

This has to be the saddest love story I have ever seen, to have so much devotion to each other for so long, then to have it all taken away at an instant, its heart breaking. I shared the video on my page and like the page, i hope my friends will see this video and experienced what I felt and share the video as well. Shane if you see this I want to tell you that you are a strong person, with a big Heart for speaking your mind. I will back you all the way for fighting for our rights to marry who we want, you have my full support.
Anonymous

This happened to me last year. I went through many of the same experiences as Shane, but I tried to fight it… and lost. The family were horrific to me but what hurt the most is that some of her friends tried to do the same thing.
Dean Andrews

Dear Shane: It is sad that you have lost your loved one as you have. Your rights far outweigh those of the hateful family members. Let not your Heart dwell upon that which has been lost, but rather that which has yet to be gained. Pursue your dream of happiness, as your Heart continues to beat and you breath another breath of air each day. You will never forget Tom: no. Always will he be with you in your Heart, Mind, and a part of your Soul. He was a part of you. Healing takes a great amount of time and sorrow brings much pain. So, respectfully, as of yourself this question: would Tom want you to let go of your sorrow and pain and move on in your life to be at peace and be happy? My condolences on your loss. God Bless You!
http://www.facebook.com/courtney.sarna Courtney Sarna

That whole thing made me cry & gave me goose bumps . I cant imagine how painful that would be . Im practically speechless . ..
http://www.facebook.com/courtney.sarna Courtney Sarna

Im really proud of Shane for making this video and not keeping quiet. He did the right thing.
http://www.facebook.com/ghutsonmiller Grace Hutson-Miller

Homosexuality is not an illness! Why can’t people get that out of their heads!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=735950179 Catherine Carter

This made me sad, at first. Now I’m just angry.

Much love Shane, we all stand with you.
http://www.facebook.com/ChazFulton Chas Sanders

Those parents make me sick to my stomach. Ignorant, people, shall get theirs….Karma is a you know what. God Bless you, and may he give you strength to get you through this. You will always have the memories they will never go away.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kerry-Nelson/100000482891678 Kerry Nelson

Shane, hon, if you read this, I know just how you feel, having lost my own love far too soon. May your healing be swift.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1594110116 Nhia Pheng Thao

Ive been avoiding watching this, but time came when i couldnt hold back anymore and watched it. My heart broke.
http://profile.yahoo.com/65JBWBZL7VPLXXW53AIW7PGNRI Matt

Shane, I hope that your story is heard by all. Hold your head high and speak loud and clear. I will stand with you.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

Anonymous

Please don’t inject more religion into this horrible story. “Faith” is at the heart of all of this unfortunate man’s pain, in the form of the misguided beliefs of his partner’s family. Not everyone appreciates your attempts to console him with flowery Christian bullshit. Furthermore, for all you know he’s an atheist or of another religion. Have some respect!

http://twitter.com/fickwalker Glory

You’re the one who needs to have respect. This person stands by Shane and what he is trying to accomplish. BinaryStar, not all religious people are narrow-minded and hateful. Open your mind.

Anonymous

I do have respect, Glory. For Shane, who deserves it, especially after having the boot of religion stomped all over his face. “Not all religious people are narrow-minded and hateful.” Yes, you’re correct. However, are the majority of them that way? Most definitely. Otherwise, a travesty like Amendment One wouldn’t have passed by such a wide margin here in my home state of North Carolina only two days ago.

So save the false hope and comfort provided by religion. Keep it to yourselves. As I said above, you don’t even know whether Shane is himself the least bit religious, and if he’s not, I’m sure he wouldn’t appreciate being “consoled” by the very same faith that has caused him so much unnecessary pain. (If, on the other hand, he was religious, perhaps this incident has cured him of that.) Christians can be so arrogant.

And one last thing: don’t give me that “But they’re not real Christians!” crap. Just remember Matthew 7:20: “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” And from what I can see, for the most part their fruits are nothing but bigotry, intolerance, cruelty, and hatred.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Aaron-Anderson/1485012494 Aaron Anderson

I saw this first on facebook and it broke my heart.. and shared it so the few of my straight friends who don’t get it hopefully will
http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Kaufman/1197284231 John Kaufman

What a heartbreaking story Shane. To think that family members could be so hateful. Thanks for being such a brave advocate for the gay community. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Crull/1102622467 Michael Crull

Thanks, Claire, for clarifying . It’s a tragic story. I have been through a similar experience with the death of my partner of just 4 years.
Families can be cruel and uncaring. My family and friends rallied and helped me through a dark time in my life. I hope in time Shane will find the happiness the Tom brought him.
Phil Mata

I hardly ever cry. This video gave me the chills and made me well up. I’m terribly sorry, Shane.
http://www.facebook.com/meloveyoulongtimezzz Nathan Minaj

Such a tragedy, this makes me weep for humanity… I’m horribly sorry for your lose. You both seemed to be an amazing people. I hope you keep finding the strength to carry on daily.

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