Religious leaders who support civil unions made their case at the state Capitol yesterday while lawmakers prepared to discuss whether to revive the stalled legislation.

More than two dozen clergy members, including ministers, pastors and a retired Buddhist bishop, voiced their support for legislation allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions.

"What we know is that civil unions, to the chagrin of those whose political or religious ideologies lead them to lobby against this legislation, are unquestionably pro-family, pro-faith and pro-children," said Rabbi Peter Schaktman of Temple Emanu-El. "Real religious leaders do not seek to have the government impose their vision of how the world should be. And please, do not use religion as a weapon to reinforce bigotry and diminish democracy."

State Senate Democrats will meet in private caucus this afternoon to discuss whether to recall the civil unions bill from the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee, where the bill has stalled.

Under the state Constitution, it would take nine of 25 senators to recall the bill from committee. The debate could reach the Senate floor tomorrow.

Senate leaders have said that a majority of senators support civil unions but many are reluctant to pull the bill from committee because it could set a precedent for other bills that have stalled.

State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau), said yesterday that it was unclear whether there are the votes to recall the bill. Other advocates were privately pessimistic but have not given up.

Advocates have been encouraged by a new poll by Q Mark Research and Polling that found that 64 percent agreed that same-sex couples should have access to the legal privileges and protections of marriage as a matter of civil rights.

The poll was taken March 10-15 among 502 residents. The margin of error was 4.3 percentage points.

Deacon Pat Hendrickson, a lesbian who attended yesterday's rally with her partner who is a priest, said civil union legislation will not silence pastors in their churches or force them to perform ceremonies.

"The issue we're addressing today is one of civil and human rights and equal protection under the law for all people," Hendrickson said.