PORTLAND (Maine) - VOTERS in the northeastern state of Maine repealed a state law that would have allowed same-sex couples to wed, dealing the gay rights movement a heartbreaking defeat in the corner of the country most supportive of gay marriage.

Gay marriage has now lost in every single state - 31 in all - in which it has been put to a popular vote. Gay-rights activists had hoped to buck that trend in Maine - known for its moderate, independent-minded electorate - and mounted an energetic, well-financed campaign.

With 87 per cent of the precincts reporting, gay-marriage foes had 53 per cent of the votes.

'The institution of marriage has been preserved in Maine and across the nation,' declared Frank Schubert, chief organiser for the winning side.

Gay-marriage supporters refused to concede, holding out hope that that the tide might turn as the final returns came in.

'We're here for the long haul and whether it's just all night and into the morning, or it's next week or next month or next year, we will be here,' said Jesse Connolly, manager of the pro-gay marriage campaign. 'We'll be here fighting. We'll be working. We will regroup.' -- AP