Tom Bridegroom is no longer with us.

But his partner, Shane Crone, is.  Bridegroom and Crone lived and worked together in LA for six years, and had hoped to get married- legally- at some point in the future.

Unfortunately, that day did not come soon enough for Bridegroom and Crone. A misstep led to the death of Bridegroom. Now, his and Crone’s stories are leading to a new outlook on life for many people across the world.

Pace University got the chance to hear their story last Monday, September 15, in a completely filled Miller Lecture Hall with special guest Crone. The Center for Unity and Equality (formerly the Center for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs) funded the documentary showing, and Pace students got the chance to ask Crone questions after the showing.

Crone is sharing their story of love amidst discrimination at universities across the United States in an effort to fight for equal treatment of gays. The love story gives faces to the issue, thus allowing for people to think more deeply about the problem of discrimination of the gay and lesbian community.  Crone wants people to “open their hearts and minds.”

Their story has inspired many; with Bridegroom, Crone has been able to give hope to many people who are struggling with their identity and facing discrimination.

“I hope that, by sharing my story, it inspires people to be who they are and to do what makes them happy,” Crone said, “because life is short and unpredictable.”

From a life being cut short to the uncertainty of being accepted by family members, the story of Crone and Bridegroom gave students an idea of just how short and unpredictable life can be.

“I never imagined the story would resonate with people like it has,” Crone, a native of a small town in Montana, said.

Cornell Craig, Director of the Center for Unity and Equality, believed that the documentary would be beneficial for the Pace community.

“The film addresses relevant topics that are present in our Pace Community,” Craig said. “It addressed ideas of sexual identity, understanding difference, and the acceptance of one’s identity by family, friends, and the community.”

Crone has been touring across the United States for about eight months after working for 10 months to produce the documentary.

Prior to the documentary, Crone released a YouTube video titled “It Could Happen to You.” It quickly went viral, reaching millions of people.

Crone figured that a documentary would reach more people, and he was right. Bridegroom became the “most funded film project in the history of crowd funding” on Kickstarter. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was also shown on the Oprah network.  Teary-eyed Pace students were thrilled to be able to view the documentary and speak with Crone.

“I felt a lot of love from everyone here,” Crone said about the students at Pace.

Pace faculty agreed that viewing Bridegroom and talking to Crone was a worthwhile experience.

“Shane’s visit to campus is the highlight of my career as an educator,” Professor Andrew Stout, who arranged for Crone to visit Pace, said. “To witness the positive and truly caring fashion in which he interacted with students was astounding—it’s an educator’s dream to see students so moved and engaged.”

Crone stayed after the movie to answer questions from students and faculty members. He gave hugs, autographs, and a message of hope to all who spoke to him and all who listened.

“I was honored to be asked to come to Pace,” Crone said.

Bridegroom is available on Netflix, and “It Could Happen to You” is on YouTube.