It's called Bridegroom, and it's a story of loss, and of discrimination. But first and foremost, it's a story of love. It speaks profoundly to the struggles faced by our LGBT brothers and sisters. I hope you'll set your DVR, because I think this is such an important film.
Please visit GLAAD's website for more information. It includes a touching interview with Shane Bitney Crone, the young man who lost his partner, Tom Bridegroom, and had to deal not only with that tragedy, but also with the terrible aftermath. I've reprinted an excerpt of that interview below, it brought me to tears.
When asked what he hoped people would take away from this film, here's how Shane responded:
"Whether you are gay or straight, I hope you will see this movie, and appreciate that Tom and I were just two boys who fell in love. Nothing more, nothing less. It is not a film about revenge, or making people feel sorry for me--it’s simply another love story. I think it will inspire people to live their lives honestly, to fall in love deeply, and to fight for the rights of people who are being treated like second class citizens. Love is love. Loss is loss. At the end of the day we are all human and we all just want to be happy and treated equally. I want people to see that Tom and I loved each other very much, but because we weren't married, his family and the government treated me as if I was merely his roommate."
