The state House Judiciary Committee has decided not to hear a bill to legalize gay marriage, likely tabling the issue for this year.

Monday’s decision came on a day when about 150 supporters for marriage equality gathered at the state Capitol to call on legislators to take up a bill before the deadline passes to move it ahead.

State Rep. Karl Rhoads, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said that after polling his colleagues he determined there was not the political will for a bill this session.

"The support is just not there to pass it this year," said Rhoads, who favors legalizing same-sex marriage. "In the aggregate we just don’t have the support."

Marriage equality advocates were disappointed and said they would continue to urge lawmakers to act, though they conceded getting a hearing would be a long shot at this point.

Lois Perrin, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union-Hawaii, said she believes a measure would get the votes needed to pass, and added that at the least the committee should hold a hearing to gauge public opinion.

"It’s the responsibility of the Legislature to tackle difficult issues," she said. "This is the time for it."

State Sen. Clayton Hee, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the Senate decided to wait for the House to schedule a hearing on the issue since that’s where much of the opposition would be.

Hawaii began allowing civil unions Jan. 1, 2012, and gay-rights advocates see same-sex marriage legislation as the next logical step.

"It’s getting legal recognition," said Donna Gedge, 67, who attended the rally Monday with her partner, Monica Montgomery, 62.

The two entered into a civil union a year ago, after being together for 33 years.

"I’m here to stand up for my rights," Gedge said.

Nine states have legalized same-sex marriage, and other states are considering the issue.

At the same time, groups that oppose marriage equality are rallying their troops locally and nationally.

Eva Andrade, executive director of the Hawaii Family Forum, one of several Hawaii organizations that oppose gay marriage, said if the Legislature were to take up the issue this session, it would draw plenty of opposition.

"Churches are paying very close attention. There will be people in the community who will make their voice heard," Andrade said. "We’re hopeful that legislators will do the right thing."

The discussion comes as a lawsuit challenging Hawaii laws that reserve marriage as between a man and a woman is before the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and as the Supreme Court also considers two gay marriage cases.

Hawaii Family Forum is a party in the 9th Circuit case, arguing that Hawaii laws don’t violate the U.S. Constitution.

Andrade said rather than wade into the issue now, legislators should "allow the courts to do their job."

But some at the rally said waiting for court decisions to dictate public policy is a bad idea.

"This is something that should have been decided years ago," said Ray Abelsen, 70, of McCully. "It’s nobody’s business who I fall in love with."

Donald Munro, 75, of Kaneohe, said he and his partner have been waiting 46 years to marry.

"What is it that gives anyone the right to say we’re second-class citizens?" he said."That’s what angers us so much."

Michelle Swan, 38, said she believes there is "more than enough" support in the community for gay marriage.

Swan and her partner, Rachel Lindsey, 29, were joined in a civil union about a year ago.

"I would like to see them (the Legislature) address this issue," she said. "I don’t want to see them pass it up."