The Democratic-controlled state Senate gave initial approval to a civil union bill for gay couples today after a lengthy floor debate that included a controversial amendment from Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, who indicated he might be able to support the bill if changes were made.

Sen. Pat Steadman of Denver said his bill gives gay couples many of the rights and responsibilities of straight couples, but it does not allow marriage.

“I think this is a bill that honors commitment and love and responsibility,” he said. “It empowers people to provide economic and financial and emotional security for themselves and their loved ones.”

Steadman, who is gay, said he thought Mitchell’s proposal encouraged discrimination. The amendment in part allowed mental-health professionals such as social workers, psychologists or marriage counselors, to decline to work with people on civil-union issues without sanctions or discipline.

“Are we not as human as the rest of you?” Steadman asked.

He later said he almost accepted the amendment because he so wanted to have a bill that Mitchell could vote for, but in the end he had to reject it, citing a revised version of the famed speech from Shakepeare’s “Merchant of Venice.”

“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? And if you poison us, do we not die?” Steadman asked.

Steadman said he would bring a civil union bill back every year until it passes in the legislature.

An official vote on Senate Bill 12-02 is expected as early as Thursday. A similar bill last year passed with the support of all 20 Democrats and three of the 15 Republicans.

The question is what will happen to the measure when it gets to the House, where Republicans hold a 33-32 majority and last year’s bill died in committee.

The House co-sponsor likely will be Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, although he and Steadman have tried to find a Republican sponsor in the House.

“I have not found a ‘yes’ and the ‘no’s’ are growing,” Ferrandino said,

The drama over today’s debate centered on Mitchell, who was viewed early in his career by gay-rights activists as someone opposed to their cause but who in the last year he has indicated a willingness to look at the issue.

“Should we extend policies that acknowledge the realities of someone’s household and make life more accessible and reasonably liveable for all our citizens?” he asked.

“I no longer believe with any confidence that acknowledging the needs of same-sex families would be an important … pressure on traditional families. For that reason I struggle and I want to support this bill.”

But Mitchell said whether he could support the bill depended on if his proposed amendments were accepted.

The Senate approved his amendment to allow child-placement agencies to be able to turn down same-sex couples because of personal or religious beliefs. Steadman said his bill already allowed for exemptions although it wasn’t spelled out as explicitly.

Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, said nothing in the bill prevented future legislatures from stripping out that clause, which is one reason he opposes the measure.

Mitchell also wanted the bill amended to say that there would be no repercussions to those who did not want to offer services for civil-union ceremonies. The second part of the amendment involved mental-health professionals.

“The price was too great,” Steadman said. “It would have enabled discrimination against same-sex couples.”

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