Sen. Elizabeth Warren will have a special message for the LGBTQ community during “Equality LIVE,” Equality Florida’s daylong virtual event, streaming on the advocacy group’s Facebook page and YouTube channel April 26.
“Equality LIVE” will stream from 12:30-8 p.m. with a virtual variety show spotlighting five Florida cities which had to cancel their annual Equality Florida gala due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Key West, Miami and St. Petersburg.
The virtual event will help to raise funds for Equality Florida with each donation being quadrupled due to matching grants by AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the John D. Evans Foundation. Viewers will be able to make donations at EqualityFlorida.org/EqualityLive.
“’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,” said Nadine Smith, Equality Florida’s executive director, in a press release. “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.”
The virtual event begins live in Palm Beach at 12:30 p.m., then on to Tallahassee at 1 p.m., Key West at 2:30 p.m., Miami at 4 p.m. and St. Petersburg at 5:30 p.m.
“Equality LIVE” culminates with the Main Event at 7 p.m. where Warren will make her special appearance and Smith will provide the State of the State address.
Other notable guests appearing for the virtual event throughout the day include Latin Grammy Award-winner Nestor Torres, Jeanette Jennings, state Sen. Jason Pizzo, state Reps. Shevrin Jones, Amy Mercado, Carlos Guillermo Smith, Jennifer Webb, Key West Mayor Teri Johnston, Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers, Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, Broward County Superintendent Robert Runcie, attorney Elizabeth Schwartz, Dr. Julie C. Servoss, Calvin Arsenia, Vashai Avionce, Colleen Orender, Matthew McGee, Jennifer Real, Yoli Mayor and Quixotic.
Equality Florida’s “Equality LIVE” program outline can be found below. For more information, visit EQFL.org.
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12:30 PM – Live from Palm Beach
Get the party started at with a Pre-Show Brunch in Palm Beach! Grab your cocktails, mocktails, and help us kick-off “Equality LIVE”!
1:00 PM – Live from Tallahassee (HIV Community Conversation)
Tune in at 1 pm as we begin our program for Equality “LIVE”! FL Senator Jason Pizzo is joining us for a discussion on HIV Advocacy. Plus we’ll have live entertainment and a message from Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey!
2: 30 PM – Live from Key West (LGBTQ Youth Conversation)
Join us at 2:30 pm for a special appearance by Mayor Johnston and Mayor Carruthers and a dynamic discussion with Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie on the resilience and urgent needs of our LGBTQ youth!
4:00 PM – Live from Miami (Public Policy/Elections Conversation)
Join us at 4pm for live performances by Latin Grammy Award winner Nestor Torres & America’s Got Talent’s Yoli Mayor; a look ahead at the 2020 November Election with Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Elizabeth Schwartz, Nationally recognized LGBTQ Advocate.
5:30 PM – Live from St. Pete (Transgender Community Conversation)
Join us at 5:30 pm for live entertainment, a message from St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and a dynamic conversation on transgender equality with Jeanette Jennings and Rep. Amy Mercado!
7:00 PM – Main Event
Join us at 7 pm for a star-studded main show with a special guest appearance from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and a state of the state with Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith.
