A Senate committee today gave initial approval to a civil-unions bill after an afternoon of sometimes graphic and emotional testimony.

Cheers erupted in the old Supreme Court Chambers when Senate Bill 172 passed on a 6-3 vote.

Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton, tried to hold back tears as she talked about her support for the measure.

“As the sister of a gay man who didn’t come out until he was 50 he was so threatened, I thank you for him,” she said.

But opposition to the bill include gay couples, who said if Colorado passes civil unions it’s unlikely there would be a push to overturn a constitutional amendment outlawing gay marriage.

Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, who put that amendment on the ballot, opposed the bill.

“It is as close to marriage as can be construed in Colorado law without using that word,” he said. “For that reason it is marriage and it changes the institution of marriage.”

Lundberg was joined by Republicans Mark Scheffel of Parker and Steve King of Grand Junction in voting against Senate Bill 172. Republican Ellen Roberts of Durango voted with the five Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee to send the bill to the Finance Committee.

One witness, Rosina Kovar of Denver, said she was testifying against the bill on behalf of herself and her grandchildren. She spoke in graphic terms about anal sex, saying the anus is “an exit not an entrance.”

The measure is expected to pass the Senate, but its fate in the House rests largely on the committee assignment given the measure by Republicans, who have a one-seat edge in that chamber.

Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327 or lbartels@denverpost.com