Columbia students gathered at the gates and headed to Marriage Equality New York's 7th Annual Wedding march in Brooklyn last Sunday. Participants marched over the Brooklyn bridge to demand that gay marriage be legalized in New York. Although this has become an annual tradition, attendees hope that every year will be the last.

MENY Events Director, Brian Silva, welcomed the crowd with a hopeful statement. "I would like to welcome you to the seventh annual -and hopefully last- march for marriage equality in New York state!"

Students made their way from Morningside Heights to Brooklyn where they joined speakers from congress and the New York State senate to follow a rainbow made of umbrellas over the Brooklyn bridge.

"Gay, straight, black, white: marriage is a civil right!" participants yelled as they marched.

Columbia's Queer Alliance led the Columbia University group, bringing 30 students to the march. Students expressed their gratitude at having the support of the Columbia community in their fight for gay rights.

CQA's Vice President Claire Duvallet expressed her gratitude, "Coming with such a large group from the University is just great to know we have that support there. And people are not just passively supportive, they're actively supportive of the cause."

First Year Eric Schwartz said, "This is why college rocks, so yay! Go CQA!"

With such strong support, Columbia's marchers were the spirit of the march, leading not only with chants, but with school spirit, singing the Columbia fight song.