Sudbury's Pride week starts today with the raising of the rainbow flag

Pride week begins today in Sudbury, and organizers have planned events through the week that they hope will appeal to all ages.

The chair of Sudbury Pride, Katherine Smith, saidthe festival is meant to celebrate the LGBTcommunity, and invites the whole community to share in that.

Smith saidthe growing acceptance in Sudbury has helped to pave an easier path for those just now coming out.

"I've never had to maneuver through the world in a way that I couldn't just be me. I wish that for everybody," she said.

"I can't imagine what it would be like to not have been able to do that in my life. So I feel, for me, it's my responsibility because of my privilege, to try to share some of that a little bit and see if I can't empower some people, especially the youth."

Sudbury Pride is one year shy of its 20th anniversary and a lot has changed in that time for the LGBT community in the city.

'We welcome everybody'

Aden Daniel Charest is a part of the Pride organizing committee.

Charestsaidacceptance has grown tremendously in the city over the years, and that those questioning their gender or their sexuality now feel more comfortable coming out.

"They're doing it for themselves because that is the only choice they have in being LGBT," Charestsaid.

"It's not a choice to be LGBT. It's your choice of being who you are. The only other choice you have is staying in the closet and being miserable."

Smith agrees, and saidthe festival is an opportunity for members of the LGBTcommunity to celebrate who they are.

"It is also an opportunity for our allied community to come and be a part of that with us and get to know us and ask questions and just celebrate love as love," she said.

"We welcome everybody, and we're certainly always pleased to see the allied community come out."

Pride week will begin with a flag raising Monday morning at Tom Davies Square, and a Pride march goes on Saturday.

Smith said she is glad Sudbury holds a march. She considers Pride a political issue, not a parade of floats.

Numerous other events are planned to celebrate authenticity and acceptance.