Washington state is on course to pass a bill that would give same-sex partnerships the same rights as married couples.

Thousands gathered on the steps of the Washington State Capital protesting the bill.

Click play to watch this report, video courtesy of the Faith and Freedom Network.

Washington already has laws in place giving rights to domestic partnerships.

This bill would expand on those to include all benefits given to married couples.

Employment benefits like pensions and health insurance would be some of the most effected by the new legislation.

The Washington Values Alliance believes the bill is just a stepping stone for re-defining marriage.

"By creating the legal equivalent of the marital union, Washington state will be subject to litigation by homosexual partners demanding that the courts overturn our state's Defense of Marriage Act, which is exactly what happened in California prior to Proposition 8," a Washington Values Alliance representative said.

The bill passed the Senate last week and now moves to the House -- which started holding public hearings Monday.