THE former Star Trek actor George Takei has spoken of his disappointment after the people of California voted to put a stop to gay marriage.
The electorate narrowly backed Proposition 8, passing a constitutional amendment restricting marriage to heterosexual couples.
The vote took place at the same time as the presidential election on Tuesday, and many supporters of gay marriage had h
oped a strong Democratic turnout for Barack Obama would cement the right to marry extended by the state's supreme court in May, in what is one of the most liberal states in America.
But it was not to be, and amendments banning gay marriage also were approved in Arizona and Florida.
Takei, who played Mr Sulu in the sci-fi series, and his long-term partner, Brad Altman, were the first to receive a marriage licence in West Hollywood after the court ruling.
He was disappointed but philosophical about the voters' decision to take away the right of gay couples to marry.
"There are going to be heartbreaks, setbacks and sacrifices to be made," he said, "but we will soldier on."
The passage of Proposition 8 stirred anger, protests, lawsuits and a deep sense of loss among gays in California. At least three legal challenges had been filed by Wednesday night and others were being prepared.
More than 1,000 people took to the streets of Los Angeles and West Hollywood to protest about the ban, blocking traffic. Police said at least four people were detained.
Hundreds also gathered on the steps of San Francisco's City Hall. Some held candles and carried signs saying, "We all deserve the freedom to marry".
It was still unclear last night what will happen to the estimated 18,000 gay and lesbian couples, many from other states, who tied the knot after same-sex marriage was legalised in June. California will continue to allow same-sex civil unions, which offer many of the legal benefits of marriage.
On the other side of the issue, supporters of the ban hailed the outcome of the vote.
"Government did not create marriage, and neither politicians nor legislators have the right to redefine its basic meaning," Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organisation for Marriage California, said.
"Common sense, and concern for the common good, trumped ideology, bigotry and power politics here in California."
Denise Fernandez, 57, of Sacramento, said: "I believe a Christian is held accountable, and we have to make a difference."
With 99 per cent of precincts reporting by Wednesday night, 52 per cent of Californian voters favoured the ban, versus 48 per cent against. It was the first time a state had taken away gay marriage after it had been legalised.
In downtown San Francisco, a city where a majority of residents voted against the ban, people were disappointed by its success.
"I feel sad," said Venkaf Mannava, 30, a computer programmer who is married with three children. "It's a personal decision and we should not say how other people should live their lives. They should be free to love and marry who they want."
Despite intense disappointment, some newlyweds took comfort in the fact that millions of Californians had voted to validate their relationships.
"I'm really OK," said Diana Correia, of Berkeley, who married Cynthia Correia, her partner of 18 years, last Sunday in front of their two children and 80 relatives and friends.
"I hope the marriage holds, but we are already married in our hearts, so nobody can take that away," she said.
In Los Angeles, Altman said having the state recognise his marriage to Takei had been "extremely meaningful to me, but our relationship will continue and we will live long and prosper no matter what happens on the legal front".
