A bridge to marriage equality.

There was no sun, but there was a big rainbow across the Brooklyn Bridge on June 3 as hundreds of people with colorful umbrellas participated in Marriage Equality New York's third annual Wedding March. The cheery display was a fitting symbol for the marchers' hope that the New York State court of appeals, currently considering four marriage equality cases, would soon grant gay couples the right to marry.

"We remain positive that once [the justices] hear our stories and see our families, they will consider our dignity and do the right thing and grant us access to marriage licenses," said JoAnn Shain, 53. She and her partner, Mary Jo Kennedy, 50, are plaintiffs in one of the marriage cases. The couple of 24 years crossed the bridge with their 17-year-old daughter, Aliya. "It's very exciting to see everyone here and to see couples who have been together for 60 years," said Kennedy.

Kennedy was referring to Gus Archilla, 90, and Elmer Lokkins, 87, who have been together since 1945 and were honorary leaders of the march. They were married in Niagara Falls, Canada, in November 2003. "It is important we all partake of the benefits that are due to us under the law," Archilla said. "As citizens we are all to be treated equally. That is all we're asking for. Nothing special, just the right given to us by the Constitution."