Kathleen Wynne wasted no time trying to put the gay “question” to rest Saturday in a direct appeal to delegates at Ontario’s Liberal leadership convention.

“Let’s put something on the table,” the openly gay former cabinet minister and MPP for Don Valley West said in a speech aimed at securing the extra support needed to win the race to replace Premier Dalton McGuinty.

“Is Ontario ready for a gay premier? You’ve heard that question. Let’s say what that actually means. Can a gay woman win?”

Wynne said she proved that winning her riding in 2003, then referred to rival candidates and their ethnic and religious backgrounds — Portuguese, Italian, Indian, Catholic.

“There was a time, not that long ago, when most of us in this race would not have been deemed suitable … but this province has changed,” Wynne added.

“I don’t believe the people of Ontario judge their leaders on the basis of race, colour or sexual orientation ... they judge us on our merits.”

The 59-year-old took the stage after a flash mob — including Health Minister Deb Matthews and former cabinet minister John Wilkinson of Stratford, her campaign co-chairs — did a dance number with supporters in “Wynne Now” T-shirts to the Glee version of Pink’s “Raise Your Glass,” about underdogs succeeding.

In her speech, Wynne also took aim at her chief rival, former Windsor West MPP Sandra Pupatello, who entered the convention with a lead in delegates, saying she would recall the legislature on schedule Feb. 19.

Pupatello has said she would wait until she can win a seat in a byelection.

Looking beyond the convention, Wynne reached out to Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak and Andrea Horwath of the NDP, promising a mix of fiscal responsibility and social fairness.

“There’s so much we can accomplish if you’re willing to work with a strong, smart Liberal government.”

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