PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island lawmakers plan to hold hearings on a bill creating civil unions for gay couples next week.

The House of Representatives announced Friday that it will hold hearings Wednesday.

The bill would give gay couples who form a civil union the same state rights given to married couples in Rhode Island.

Civil unions were pitched as a compromise after legislative leaders said a gay marriage bill lacked the votes to pass. Rep. Peter Petrarca, a Lincoln Democrat, is the bill's sponsor. Petrarca says that while he supports gay marriage, civil unions represent a step forward. Some gay marriage advocates, however, vow to oppose any proposal that falls short of full marriage.

Extra: Read Rep. Peter Petrarca's bill on civil unions.

Hearings on the gay marriage bill attracted hundreds of Rhode Islanders on both sides of the issue.