McGee, Real – and Kriseman – to appear during Sunday’s Equality Florida event

St. Pete-based actor/singer Matthew McGee and vocalist Jennifer Real are scheduled to perform during Sunday’s virtual event benefit for the Equality Florida Institute, the statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization.

Beginning at 12:30 p.m., Equality LIVE will spotlight the five communities that were forced to cancel annual galas due to Covid-19. The St. Petersburg section, at 5:30 p.m., will include the performances by McGee and Real, plus statements from Mayor Rick Kriseman and a conversation on transgender equality with Jeanette Jennings, the mother of transgender YouTube personality and activist Jazz Jennings, and State Representative Amy Mercado (D-Orlando).

The event will livestream here.

On Saturday, McGee said he hadn’t decided yet whether he would perform in drag. He had several humorous songs ready to go, but was leaving the costuming and makeup choices to the hour in question. “I just have to see how I feel that day,” he said.

There was, he added, no question that once he was asked to participate, he would say “yes” immediately.

“I’m honored to be a part of Equality LIVE. Hoping to make people laugh and forget their troubles for 10 minutes, while supporting an organization that is near and dear to my heart.”

Information on Jennifer Real is available here.

The event culminates in a statewide 60-minute show, from 7 to 8 p.m. This will include a special message from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, and an update and call to action from Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith.

“Equality LIVE is a place for our community to connect, help each other in the midst of a crisis, and prepare for important battles ahead for LGBTQ equality,” Smith said. “Even as we respond to the pandemic, we know that anti-LGBTQ attacks continue and that we have to be in a strong position to mobilize pro-equality voters in November.”