TORONTO - More than one million people crowded Toronto on Sunday, decked out in fanciful costumes and hoisting rainbow flags as they celebrated thirty years of Pride in sweltering heat.

In three decades, the parade for gay and lesbian rights has morphed into both a place for politics and a place to party, as people on the streets sang, danced and cheered.

"It gets bigger every year," said Tash Kalvfleish, as she stood next to friends waiting for the parade to make its way down Yonge street in Toronto.

Kalvfleish has been to the parade five times, and said it's arguably the best in Canada, if not the world.

"It's the biggest party in the world, man," said Kalvfleish. "I've heard that it's better than San Francisco Pride, but I've never been," she said laughing with a mischievous smile, as she taunted the California city known for its Pride festivities.

As the parade winded its way through city streets, people cheered, confetti was thrown, and volunteers sprayed the sweaty masses with water guns as the crowd watched the parade.

"The weather is amazing, it's been a couple of years since we've had a really, sunny amazing day, 'thank you G20,' we got pushed by a week," Len Henry said with a big grin, referring to the summit almost trampling on Pride week festivities.

Lady Gaga music blared over speakers strapped to trucks as people yelled out "Happy Pride." The parade also featured drag queens dressed in heavy purple and pink taffeta dresses, carrying parasols.

Police also rode through the parade route, waving at people to show support.

"A lot of people love the parties, but I think it's just the coming together of people in the street and the freedom and the energy. It's just a feel good time," said Henry, who also said this year's pride was more political than most.

During pride preparation, some activists were outraged after organizers of the parade banned Queers Against Israeli Apartheid from marching. At the last minute, with much protest, the organizers changed their minds.

In the parade on Sunday, many people held signs that said "My Pride includes free speech."

Henry said Pride emerged out of a demand by the gay community for civil rights, for freedom and equality, and he said this parade seemed to be a return to that spirit.

"Those who can say that it's not about politics are wrong. It is about politics, but it's also about fun around the politics," said Henry.