Shane Bitney Crone

Today marks the two year anniversary of Tom Bridegroom's death. Last year, Shane Bitney Crone, Tom's boyfriend, released a powerful video sharing his grief with the world but also making a plea for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples who are prevented from getting married. The video received over 3.5 million views and was turned into a documentary. Today, Shane wrote a letter to Tom, voicing his love for him and telling him about the incredible year he's had, sharing their story and speaking out for equality.

Last week marked the festival premiere of Bridegroom, the long-awaited documentary recounting the love story of Shane Bitney Crone and his partner Tom Bridegroom. Former President Bill Clinton introduced the film at the premiere and, this past weekend, the documentary ended its Tribeca run by receiving the Heineken Audience Award.

In 2012, Shane Bitney Crone posted a video

Fundraising will always be a challenge for independent creators, but crowd sourced funding websites give projects that might have been overlooked in traditional channel a renewed chance for success, and have been particularly useful for many LGBT creators hoping to share their stories through independent media. Here is a list of 15 LGBT-inclusive fan-funded success stories from 2012.

It's been a banner year for the LGBT community. Check out these 8 videos that helped push equality forward in 2012.

Instinct Magazine has included Spirit Day Ambassador Shane Bitney Crone in its list of Leading Men of 2012!

Lance Bass discussed coming out on The Ricki Lake Show this past week and in a new clip says National Coming Out Day should also be National Asking Day, citing that had his parents talked to him earlier and let him know they would still love and accept him, he would have come out much earlier in his life.

Now that you've taken the Spirit Day pledge to go purple in a stand against bullying, talk to your friends and family about somebody who is LGBT or somebody who has experienced bullying.