Many of the arguments were the same Monday surrounding same-sex marriage, neither were the stickers on the shirts of people on both sides of the issue in the halls of the Vermont statehouse, which became a gay rights battleground nine years ago.
Supporters and opponents say this time is different because the stakes are higher.
"We created the term civil union and we should be proud of it, now is the time to take the next step," said Vermont Law School Professor Greg Johnson.
More than 80 people packed a state Senate Judiciary Committee room to hear the results of a study done last year.
The panel's chairman, Tom Little, says lawmakers should back same sex marriage because of the promise of increased legal rights for gay and lesbian couples made during the passage of civil unions.
"The commission found that in material respects the promise has not been fulfilled," said Little.
Michelle Jaquith brought her three young daughters to the hearing Monday. She says the issue for her isn't a legal argument, but a moral issue.
"We believe in the authority of the Bible, God's word," said Jaquith.
Polls taken nine years ago suggested that the majority of Vermonters opposed civil unions.
Nine years later, the issue facing supporters, including Becky Roberts and her partner, is whether that public opinion has changed.
"I appreciate the religious perspective of it but it really is a basic right of us being together," said Roberts.
