The state's two top lawmakers are pleading with House and Senate members to back a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union of a man and woman while guaranteeing civil union benefits for same-sex couples, but their compromise is being rejected by some local legislators.

Among those rejecting the compromise put forward by Senate President Robert Travaglini and House Speaker Thomas Finneran is state Rep. Philip Travis, D-Rehoboth. Travis, who authored an earlier constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and who has been a leader in the fight against same-sex unions, said the Travaglini-Finneran plan is simply gay marriage given another name.

Travis plans to vote against the compromise on Thursday when the House and Senate take up the question.

Two other area legislators contacted by The Sun Chronicle said they would vote against the proposed Travaglini-Finneran amendment and one was undecided.

State Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro, said he would vote `` no'' as the amendment currently reads because the compromise is `` self-contradictory'' and `` raises certain issues of religious liberties.'' Also against the amendment is state Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro. She said the amendment didn't satisfy those on either side of the argument, noting it `` was not what those advocating gay marriage want nor does it state the position of people against gay marriage.''

State Rep. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, said he would reserve judgment until he reads the amendment. Brown has opposed gay marriage in the past.