Both sides on gay marriage hope for gains in 2011

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A flurry of activity has both sides of the gay marriage debate hoping for gains this year.

Lawmakers in Rhode Island and Maryland are taking up bills to legalize it, and opponents are fighting to re-impose bans in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Molly McKay, of the group Marriage Equality, says all eyes are on Rhode Island on Wednesday as House lawmakers hear testimony on a bill to legalize gay marriage.

Maggie Gallagher, of the National Organization for Marriage, says she believes states including Wyoming and Indiana will move toward constitutional amendments banning it.

The New York-based group Freedom to Marry on Wednesday announced plans to raise and spend $10 million on ads featuring gay and straight couples talking about the importance of marriage.