N.Y. Governor Defends Recognition of Other Jurisdictions’ Gay Marriages
New York Gov. David Paterson said Thursday that fairness and fear of legal liability convinced him to direct all state agencies to immediately recognize as valid same-sex marriages solemnized outside of New York. Paterson compared recognizing legal same-sex marriages to the state's policy of recognizing as valid common-law marriages from other jurisdictions. Opponents of same-sex marriage charged Thursday that Paterson was putting the state's imprimatur on gay marriage without consulting the Legislature.
