Mainers yesterday overturned the governor and state legislators by a 53-47 percent margin in what amounted to a veto of Gov. John Baldacci's support for the same gender marriage legislation he signed into law in May.

Following the passage of Question 1, the referendum that rescinded Maine's same gender marriage rights, UCC leaders voiced their concern for those affected by the law's rejection.

"I'm saddened by the defeat of marriage equality in Maine," said UCC General Minister and President the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black. "Many of our churches in the state worked to educate others and dispel misconceptions regarding committed same gender relationships. Our prayers are with those suffering the sting of the removal of this right – especially same gender families who have had their hopes of legal legitimacy revoked."

Supporters had hoped Maine would become the sixth state to extend marriage equality to same gender couples – the others being Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Instead, Maine becomes the thirty-first state to limit or ban same gender unions through a state referendum.

The Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer, the UCC's executive in the Office for Health and Wholeness Advocacy, sent a letter to those who have worked to uphold Maine's same gender marriage law and defeat Question 1:

"As I followed the Question 1 results, it was hard for me to put down the computer. I believed that returns would come in that would defeat the repeal of marriage equality. It didn't happen. I know my own disappointment about these results and I can only imagine the disappointment, anger, and frustration so many of you feel from our faith communities in Maine and beyond. I want you to know that I am among a great number of friends and colleagues in the national setting who are surrounding you with our thoughts, prayers, and solidarity.

"As disappointing as the results are, there is one thing I am not disappointed about and that is the heart and soul effort you have given to this campaign. The coalitions you built, the educational activities you led, conversations you engaged, the miles of pavement you covered as you marched, canvassed, phone banked and did a host of other things to change hearts and minds and get out the vote – all of this is a mighty testament and inspiration to all of us committed to the work of justice and equality. You may not feel it today, but know that you have advanced the movement by your efforts. Thank you for all you have done.

"Keep the faith, trust the vision, take care of yourself and continue the journey because hope is greater than despair, love is greater than fear and equality is greater than discrimination," Schuenemeyer's letter said.

The UCC's Maine Conference Minister, the Rev. David R. Gaewski, gave public testimony to Maine lawmakers in April, prior to the law's initial passage. He sent the following statement to UCNews today:

"This morning has been a difficult one for the UCC in Maine," said Gaewski. "Many of our pastors participated in the hearings which brought about the same gender marriage legislation. We rejoiced when Gov. Baldacchi immediately signed it into law. Since the referendum on the law began, Maine UCC clergy have worked tirelessly in support of Marriage Equality in Maine. We have attended press conferences, written letters to the editor, spoken in forums, stood in vigil, hosted events in our churches, and worked to get out the vote. All this has made the result of this referendum painful.

"I wrote words of encouragement to our clergy this morning reminding them that the work of justice is slow, but always moving forward to a 'more perfect way.' Today we weep, but tomorrow we work. Each clergy person who has contacted me has renewed their commitment to making Marriage Equality a reality in Maine. We have felt the support of the UCC from around the country, we are sad to let you down on what we hoped would be an historic day. Our struggle forward is one more step in the journey that will one day arrive at justice for all," he said.

The UCC garnered national media attention when it was the first major U.S. Christian denomination to call for marriage equality by approving the resolution "Equal Marriage Rights for All" at its 25th General Synod in 2005.