The classical approach to envy-free division and equilibrium problems relies on Knaster-Kuratowski-Mazurkiewicz theorem, Sperner's lemma or some extension involving mapping degree. We propose a different and relatively novel approach where the emphasis is on configuration spaces and equivariant topology. We illustrate the method by proving several relatives (extensions) of the classical envy-free division theorem of David Gale, where the emphasis is on preferences allowing the players to choose degenerate pieces of the cake.