PORTLAND, Maine — Maine voters dealt a severe blow to the gay rights movement by repealing a state law that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry.

The vote was close but nonetheless a huge defeat for gay activists in a corner of the country considered most sympathetic to their cause.

Voter turnout was high and the money came pouring in from across the country: conservatives who opposed the law brought in $2.5 million and supporters drew $4 million.

Proposition 8 — which adds but a single, simple section to the Constitution — does not constitute a revision. As a qualitative matter, the act of limiting access to the designation of marriage to opposite-sex couples does not have a substantial or, indeed, even a minimal effect on the governmental plan or framework of California that existed prior to the amendment. Contrary to petitioners’ claim in this regard, the measure does not transform or undermine the judicial function; this court will continue to exercise its traditional responsibility to faithfully enforce all of the provisions of the California Constitution, which now include the new section added through the voters’ approval of Proposition 8.

The opinion also states, however, that the same-sex marriage performed prior to Prop. 8 remain legally valid.

When rights are subject to the whims of the voters – as suggested by the backers of Proposition 8 – no right is secure.