"People are waiting for marriage," Carisa Cunningham of Boston's Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, where it's legal, told USA Today.

The trend is noted in a week when New Hampshire and Oregon move closer to four other states that grant marriage-style rights to gay couples.

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch says he plans to sign legislation establishing civil unions for gay couples if the state Senate passes it next week as expected.

In Oregon, the state Senate is expected to follow the House and vote for a bill giving marriage rights to gays and Gov. Ted Kulongoski says he will sign it.

But, activists say civil unions have a mixed track record.