This year, she says, a campaign for legal rights will focus on couples in the middle of the country, where Colorado, Nevada and Wisconsin last year approved domestic partnerships -- legally recognized unions between unmarried couples, homosexual or heterosexual.

Domestic partnerships are defined by each state but generally convey such rights as health benefits and the right to visit a sick partner in the hospital. They do not apply to federal benefits or tax status.

Wolfson says advocates of gay marriage will spend time this year building community-level support rather than pushing legislation.