The reasons varied among the estimated 150 marchers who walked around the state Capitol yesterday chanting slogans urging equality for gays and lesbians.

Some wanted to be able to marry. Others wanted to be able to have their partners immigrate to the United States as a spouse. But for all, the Honolulu Equality March yesterday was about just that: equality and equal protection under the law, they said.

The Honolulu event was among marches that took place across the nation yesterday in support of the National Equality March that coincided with National Coming Out Day. In Washington, D.C., thousands turned out for the march to show President Obama that they want a comprehensive approach to equal rights rather than piecemeal progress that has been made over the years.

"People are recognizing it's an issue of civil rights," said Tara O'Neill, president of Pride Alliance Hawai'i, a nonprofit group formed to shed light on issues of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender people.

"It's a question of human dignity," O'Neill said.

Said Van Law, alliance vice president: "Everyone deserves equality. I'm not just fighting for my rights, but for everyone's rights."

Jay Ballard and Zach Tepper, University of Hawai'i-Manoa students, attended the rally yesterday because they wanted to show their objection to not being able to marry in Hawai'i. Partners for nine months, Ballard and Tepper said they want to have the right to marry under the law, like "traditional couples."

"We testified last year before the state Legislature," Ballard said. "We'll be here again this year. Just because of the way we are, shouldn't mean that we can't have the same rights and benefits that other couples have."

During the last legislative session, a civil unions bill failed on the second-to-last day of the session when Senate leaders maneuvered a procedural delay on the measure. Had the bill passed, same-sex partners who enter into civil unions would have the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as married couples under state law.

Members at the march yesterday vowed to continue the push to get the civil unions bill passed by state lawmakers.

Amy Agbayani, Hawai'i Civil Rights Commission chairwoman, said the time is now for Hawai'i to take the lead in seeking equality for gays and lesbians.

She said the push for civil unions today is no different than women's struggle for the right to vote in the early 20th century and the 1960s civil rights movement.

"These are the exact same issues today as when Father Damien was trying to support the lepers," Agbayani said. "It's a civil rights issue."