HONOLULU -- About 2,000 civil union supporters rallied in downtown Honolulu on Saturday, urging lawmakers to grant gay partners the same benefits as married couples.

Lawmakers could decide in just a few days whether to bring the measure to the Senate for a full vote. Hope among measure supporters that the Senate will act on the bill this session could be fading as political pressure is applied to lawmakers by the bill's opponents.

On Saturday, civil union supporters held a candlelight vigil at the state Capitol, hoping to keep the bill alive this legislative session.

A sea of supporters carried candles in hopes of beaming a message of hope.

Supporters say it's a simple matter of equality.

"At the end of the day, as a straight parent, the greatest blessing I can give to my kids is for them to find a loving relationship and whether it's a gay relationship or a straight relationship, I don't care," said David Henkin, civil union supporter.

"We aim to enjoy life just like everyone else, and we certainly need the rights because gay couples have families and kids and when something goes wrong, like for anyone else, the law is there to support and protect them," said Lino Laure, of the Family Equality Coalition.

In February, state House members passed the civil unions bill 33 to 17.

But the Senate Judiciary Committee was deadlocked after a marathon 18-hour hearing last month, so for now, the measure is stalled.

Senators are considering an extraordinary measure -- pulling the bill from the Judiciary Committee and taking it to the full Senate for a vote.

Last month, thousands of members from the Catholic Diocese and other religious groups rallied to oppose civil unions, saying the unions are virtually the same as same-sex marriage.

Some lawmakers hoped Saturday's rally would help bridge the divide.

"It's a divisive issue to try and expand rights to all couples, but this event brings the community together," said Rep. Jon Karamatsu, D-Waipahu/Village Park/Waikele.

Supporters on the neighbor islands also held vigils Sunday.

Senators have almost until the end of the session in May to decide what to do about civil unions.