PORTLAND, Ore. - Thousands of same-sex couples in Oregon were hoping to celebrate when 2008 began, but instead they held vigils after a judge put a new law on hold that would have given them some of the same spousal rights that heterosexual couples have.

Hundreds of people gathered in southeast Portland Wednesday evening, still shocked over last week's decision by a federal judge to block the new law, at least temporarily.

"You can't take away rights from one group and expect others to have them," said gay rights supporter Susan Silodor. "It doesn't work that way."

"We don't have the same security that Oregonians everywhere have," said Maria Webster, another gay rights supporter. 

For Webster and her partner Kate Dilworth (pictured below), the timing is terrible. With a baby girl making her arrival in three weeks, they had planned to be among the first to register.

"Both of our families, all of our friends, the people we work with - everybody recognizes us both as parents," said Dilworth. "It's just not legally going to be a fact."

"(We're) angry, very sad and extremely frustrated," said Webster. "We were very much looking forward to this."

The new law would not have allowed Webster and Dilworth to marry, but it would have given them some of the same type of benefits that married heterosexual couples have.

Opponents filed a last-minute lawsuit to stop the new law from going into effect. The number of signatures on their petition came up short to let voters weigh in, but they claim county clerks wrongfully threw out some of the signatures. So, a judge put the law on hold until he can take a look at the issue.

"It's been devastating," said Jeana Frazzini with Basic Rights Oregon. "It's very hurtful, particularly when we know the majority of Oregonians support the rights of caring, committed couples to take care of one another."

Frazzini's statement is something domestic partnership opponents have said is just not true.

"Since 1992, we've voted four times on this," said gay rights opponent Marilyn Shannon. "First, they won 15 counties and this last time they won two. The momentum is not going their way."

Despite the delay, Webster and Dilworth are counting on one more judge to come through.

"I think this is just delaying the inevitable and I'm disappointed that it's not going to be in effect in time for the birth of our baby, but they can't stop all of us," said Webster.

There is one bright spot for same-sex couples. A non-discrimination law that covers bias crimes and gender identity is now in effect. Gay rights supporters say it was a 34-year fight to get that on the books and when it comes to domestic partnerships, nothing will make them give up.

The judge will take up the issue again on Feb. 1.