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Supporters And Opponents Of Civil Union Bill Rally At State Capitol


DENVER (CBS4)- Hundreds of people gathered at the state Capitol on Thursday for an emotional debate over a bill that would grant same-sex couples the right to enter civil unions.

Opponents gathered for a prayer vigil on one side of the Capitol. They claim the bill attacks the sanctity of marriage.

Supporters rallied on the other side of the Capitol, arguing the bill's fairness and equality.

Gov. John Hickenlooper's chief of staff read a message from the governor supporting the measure.

"Everyone, regardless of their sex orientation, should have the same legal rights," said Hickenlooper in the statement.

Opponents argued that voters rejected a similar measure in 2006. Supporters said times and minds have changed.

Bishop James Conely disagreed, and calls the measure an attack on the sanctity of marriage.

"It's not like we're being intolerant or bigoted or look down on those people. These are all children of God," said Conely.

"I think there's a contradiction between doctrine and what God would really want for us," said civil union supporter Sonrisa Lucero.

Cristina Aguilar said it's not about religion, but equal rights.

"I could have a child and that we would have to struggle to figure out how she could have rights for that child as well. Or God forbid, one of us gets sick, that we could be denied the right to sit there at each other's bedside at that critical moment," said Aguilar, with her partner Lucero.

Inside the Capitol, both sides backed the House Judiciary Committee. If the bill makes it out of committee, it has a shot at becoming law. More than 100 peopled signed up to testify at the hearing.

If the bill makes it out of the committee, it goes to the full House. If it passes there, it heads to Hickenlooper's desk for his signature.

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