HONOLULU -- Thousands of protesters on Sunday voiced their opposition to the controversial civil unions bill.

They rallied at the state Capitol on Sunday afternoon to oppose a measure that gives same-sex partners the same rights and benefits as married couples.

Organizers asked protesters to wear red. They came with a loud message.

Thousands overflowed the Capitol rotunda to listen to church leaders and express their opposition to the civil unions bill.

"This is like a huddle in the middle of a ball game," said the Rev. Francis Oda of the New Life Christian Church. "We have to express our individual opinions and we oppose House bill 444."

"We're not here to bash gays. We're here to tell the Senate and the House of Representatives to table that until we can get some collaboration," said the Rev. Wayne Cordeiro of New Hope Christian Fellowship.

The measure in the spotlight would give same-sex partners the same rights as married couples under state law. It also would recognize same-sex marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships from other states.

House lawmakers passed the bill 10 days ago.

The Senate Judiciary committee is scheduled to hear the bill on Tuesday.

"Maybe you are in the Senate and in the House for such a time as this," Cordeiro said. "Don't concede."

House and Senate members may be feeling the pressure. The rotunda was packed and hundreds lined Beretania Street armed with signs.

Others snuck up to the balconies.

"When I saw the sea of red, I was like, 'It's amazing how many people really believe that marriage is between a man and a woman,'" protester Khale Miller said.

"Never have I seen such a huge turnout," protester Linda Sofa said. "We had 10 buses that left our church this morning."

The Hawaii Family Forum and churches across the state also are buying newspaper ads and radio spots. And they'll be closely watching when the Senate Judiciary Committee meets on Tuesday.