Windsor Essex Pride Fest kicks off at city hall

Worried about whether she'd be accepted as a pansexual,Grace Mineau came out to her motherwhile the two discussed dinner plans.

When Mineau revealed she is pansexual, a person who thinks gender identification is irrelevant when it comes to love, her mom responded with a simple question: So, are we going to McDonald's or are we getting Chinese food?

Being accepted by her family was an important step, explainedMineau, who shared her storywhile at the Windsor Pride flag-raising ceremony outside city hall.

Several people at the event talked about the pressures and fears of revealing their sexuality to their friends and family.

"If you want to come out, do it in a way that makes you feel comfortable," Mineau said. "When someone really does care about you, it won't matter to them."

Stephen Drouinhad advice for anyone worried about attending the week's Windsor EssexPride Festevents before they've come out to friends and family.

"I would just say come on out to the festivities," he said. "We're here to just be accepting in the best way possible and just allow anyone to come, whether you're an ally, whether you're straight, bisexual, gay, anything."

Several politicians attended the Pride event, including Windsor West MP Brian Masse and Essex MP Tracey Ramsey.

Mayor Drew Dilkens told the crowd why his voice is important during Pride celebrations.

"It's my job to ensure that our city is inclusive, that our city is welcoming, that our city is full of love and compassion, that it's full of acceptance and it's full of solidarity," he told the crowd.