State lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday night to a bill to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination. It was expected to be signed Thursday by Gov. John Baldacci.

The bill would amend the Maine Human Rights Act by making it illegal to discriminate in employment, housing, credit, public accommodations and education based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

"We're thrilled," said Betsy Smith, executive director of Equality Maine, a gay and lesbian advocacy group. "We believe the democratic process of government happened here."

The state Senate approved the bill 25-10; the House voted 91-58. There was no debate in either chamber.

The measure gained ground Wednesday with agreement to an amendment addressing concerns the law would be a gateway to gay marriages.

The amendment says the law "may not be construed to create, add, alter or abolish any right to marry that may exist" under state or federal law.

The Christian Civic League of Maine, which has led two successful referendum efforts since 1998 to overturn legislation to bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, said it would announce its next step Thursday.

Its online newspaper said Wednesday the only way to stop the bill is through a "people's veto" referendum.

Smith said her group would wage a campaign to preserve the new law.

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