Opponents of a state constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage and civil unions in Pennsylvania will rally this afternoon in Harrisburg.

The "Rally for All Families" begins at 1 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda.

Among the scheduled speakers is state Sen. Vincent J. Fumo. During a committee hearing last week in which the Philadelphia Democrat was speaking in opposition to the proposed amendment, he told a Philadelphia pastor: "What you are advocating here is that we take away the rights of a minority. And I don't think that's right. " . . . If we introduced a bill on slavery, it might pass. That doesn't make it right."

Fumo, who was heavily criticized for his comments, later said he was "only exaggerating to make a point."

"I wanted people at the hearing to face the fact that denying human rights to any group, including homosexuals, at any point in our history, including in 2008, is wrong," he said.

Also scheduled to speak at today's rally are Rep. Dan Frankel (D., Allegheny), Rep. Babette Josephs (D., Phila.), Sen. Jim Ferlo (D., Allegheny), Sen. Connie Williams (D., Montgomery), Rep. Steven Nickol (R., York), and Rep. David Steil (R., Bucks).