AUGUSTA -- More than 1,000 gay-marriage opponents are expected to rally in Augusta for an evening event Sunday featuring religious and conservative leaders from across Maine and the country.

It's the second such rally held in the state capital this year and it's designed to inspire and motivate same-sex marriage opponents, said the Rev. Bob Emrich, of Plymouth, one of the organizers.

"We want to show people they are not alone," he said. "It's OK to stand for traditional marriage. There's a common perception that you're in the minority."

In February, even before state lawmakers began reviewing gay-marriage bills, an estimated 1,000 people came to the Augusta Civic Center for a rally organized by the Christian Family Research Council of Washington, D.C.

This time around, organizers said they expect 1,500 to 2,000 people, now that voters will have a chance in November to decide whether to repeal the state's new same-sex marriage law or let it stand.

The Stand for Marriage Rally is being organized by Focus on the Family, The Maine Jeremiah Project, Family Research Council and Stand for Marriage Maine, which includes the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.

Bishop Richard Malone is expected to address the crowd, along with religious leaders from Maryland and California.

James Dobson of Focus on the Family will provide a video message, Emrich said.

The event is free, but tickets are required. Emrich said members of the media will not be allowed inside the event.

Voters on Nov. 3 will be asked to decide Question 1, which is a people's veto that seeks to overturn action by the Legislature and Gov. John Baldacci that allows gay marriage in Maine.

Maine became the fifth state in the country to OK same-sex marriage when Baldacci signed the bill into law in May.

However, gay couples have not been allowed to wed because the law was not scheduled to take effect until this month.

And because opponents gathered more than enough signatures to call for a public vote, the law has been set aside until citizens make the final decision.

Mark Sullivan, spokesman for No on 1/Protect Maine Equality, said repeal opponents are taking a different approach by holding smaller, local gatherings with voters.

"It's essentially Maine people sharing their stories about marriage equality with one another," he said.

Just last week, the secretary of state officially certified the signatures submitted by opponents and called for the question to be put on the November ballot.

The new Maine law changes the definition of marriage to be the "legally recognized union of two people," regardless of gender. It requires the state to recognize marriages performed in other states and allows gay couples to come to Maine to get married.

The law also includes an "affirmation of religious freedom" that allows religious institutions to refuse to perform gay marriages.

Question 1 is one of seven questions on the November ballot. In addition to gay marriage, voters will face four citizen initiatives, a bond question and a constitutional amendment.

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com