The Maine Civil Liberties Union and Equality Maine, an advocacy group for gays and lesbians, are praising a California Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in that state.

The two groups issued supportive statements hours after the high court in California ruled that a state law restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples is unconstitutional.

"Today's decision affirms the core principle that all people should have an equal opportunity to enter into one of the most meaningful personal commitments of their lives," Shenna Bellows of the MCLU said in a statement.

"Two people in a committed and loving relationship deserve the legal protections, dignity and respect that only marriage brings," said Betsy Smith of Equality Maine.

The California ruling comes as opponents of gay rights are trying to mount a referendum campaign in Maine that would repeal a state law barring discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The referendum, which could appear on the statewide ballot in 2009 if organizers collect enough signatures, also would prohibit adoptions by unmarried couples and block funding for state civil-rights teams that visit Maine schools.

The Christian Civic League of Maine, which is pushing the proposed referendum, has not issued a statement regarding the California ruling.

Maine law currently defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Massachusetts is currently the only state that allows same-sex marriage, although four others - Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont - offer civil unions to same-sex couples.