Downtown Toronto was bursting with Pride Sunday as a million spectators gathered to watch a colourful celebration of gay rights and lifestyle.

The annual Gay Pride Parade kicked off at 2 p.m. on Bloor Street East and then headed south on Yonge Street before heading back to heart of the Gay Village on Church Street.

Pride celebrations have been going on for the past week and will continue until early tomorrow morning as bars and clubs in Toronto wind down the weekend with a bevy of parties.

The Pride Parade has been taking place for nearly three decades but this year was the first time members of the Canadian Armed Forces took part in the procession.

Warrant Officer John McDougall told The Canadian Press that being able to take part in the parade in uniform was "groundbreaking."

McDougall has been an openly gay member of the military for the past 13 years.

The parade is the feature event for Canada's largest gay pride celebration, which has a week-full of festivities for city residents and visitors from around the world.

Cedric Ricks and Bill Schmitt live in Indiana but they come to Toronto for Pride week because they feel accepted here, they say.

"There is not an acceptance and if you are a person of colour, and I am, it is even more difficult," Ricks said.

George Ginther from Buffalo said he comes back year after year because of Toronto's level of tolerance.

"I was married and I came out when I was 50 and I think this weekend was one of the most affirming events when I first came out and I come back to celebrate it every year," he told CTV Toronto.

It's estimated the event brings in about $100 million into the region and draws about one million people.

Liberal MPs Bob Rae and Belinda Stronach marched along Yonge Street along with George Smitherman, Ontario's first openly gay member of the provincial legislature.

Gareth Henry, a Jamaican national who faced serious persecution in Jamaica because of his sexual orientation, kicked off the parade at 2 p.m. He was chosen as the parade's international grand marshal.

Rafael Hernandes said he can relate to feeling persecuted. He moved to Toronto from Mexico where he was often ostracized for his sexual orientation.

"I came here because I had problems in Mexico with my sexuality but then I came to Canada and Canada opened its arms to me," he said.

One woman brought her two children to the parade to show them that being gay is something to be proud of.

"I'm a lesbian and a mother and a minister and I'm passionate about being here," said Sarah Bourcier-Miller. "I think it's important for queer youth to see many of us are proud and happy and lead wonderful lives."

Today's celebration follows on the heels of Saturday's Dyke March, an event showing support for lesbians and those who identify themselves as transgendered.

Next to the parade, the Dyke March is the largest event of the city's Pride Week activities.

"So many people come out to celebrate Pride, not just the queer community but everybody," said Toronto Mayor David Miller. "I think that sums up who Toronto is today -- who Torontonians are. We're modern, we're respectful, we're inclusive and that's what Pride is all about."

With files from The Canadian Press and a report from CTV Toronto's Matet Nebres and Chris Eby.