A bill that would create civil unions for same-sex couples won the endorsement of a Senate committee yesterday. The judiciary committee voted 3-2 to recommend that the full Senate pass the bill.

The committee's two Republicans - Sen. Bob Clegg of Hudson and Sen. Robert Letourneau of Derry - opposed the measure. The full Senate could vote on the bill as soon as Wednesday.

Last week, the House passed the bill by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. Supporters of civil unions say that a majority of senators back the bill.

Gov. John Lynch, meanwhile, hasn't said whether he would sign the bill. Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey are the only states that allow civil unions.

Sarah Liebowitz