(Concord, New Hampshire) The New Hampshire Senate this week will hold public hearings on a bill that would amend the state’s same-sex civil union law to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.

So many people are expected to attend the hearings the Senate has moved Wednesday’s meeting to a larger room.

The bill narrowly passed the state House last month. Gov. John Lynch (D) has said that he opposes gay marriage and believes the civil union law is fine. Two years ago, the Legislature approved, and Lynch signed, the civil unions bill, which aimed to provide all of the state rights of marriage except the name.

Some 600 same-sex civil unions have been conducted in the state. But same-sex couples have complained the law has created two separate forms of unions, resulting in discrimination.

Although Lynch opposes the marriage bill, he has skirted the question of whether he would veto it should it come to his desk.

Supporters believe there is enough support in the Senate to pass the bill. But it is unlikely there are enough votes to overcome a veto.

Last week in Vermont, the Legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Jim Douglas (R) of a similar marriage bill.

Maine will also have public hearings on a same-sex marriage bill later this month. “An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom,” co-sponsored by more than 60 legislators, will be heard before the Joint Judiciary Committee on April 22. So many people are expected to attend the hearing that it has been moved to the Augusta Civic Center.

The Rhode Island legislature is also expected to take up a same-sex marriage bill this year. Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri has said he will veto any gay marriage bill that reaches his desk.

Last week Carcieri and his wife, along with representatives of conservative groups, appeared at a news conference to denounce gay marriage.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the Boston-based group that won marriage equality in court rulings in Massachusetts and Connecticut, last November launched the “Six by Twelve” campaign to legalize gay marriage throughout New England by 2012.