Maine’s anti-discrimination law went into effect Wednesday, and so far the state hasn’t collapsed into a state of immoral decay.

The state was the last in New England to outlaw discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation. It was long overdue.

It took the political muscle of Gov. Baldacci and a well-organized and well-financed “no” campaign for the measure to withstand a challenge from a people’s veto, which was orchestrated by groups who were using the issue in a proxy fight against same-sex marriage.

In the end, a sizable majority of voters were able to separate the inherent injustice of discrimination from baseless claims that the law would eventually lead to legalized gay marriage.

One day, Maine – like the rest of the country – will have to debate in earnest whether to allow men to marry men and women to marry women. As attitudes toward homosexual unions continue to evolve, it’s possible that the definition of what it means to marry will change as well. The debate is already taking place in Massachusetts.

Today, Maine voters are not prepared to redefine marriage, and activists have shown no taste for picking that fight. They are, however, willing to address questions of fundamental fairness. Denying someone a job, a place to live or a loan because they’re gay will no longer be tolerated.

Mainers addressed a serious shortfall in the state’s protection of civil rights in 2005. That’s something to be proud of.