PlusNY to Recognize Same-sex MarriageNY to Recognize Same-sex MarriageThe Associated PressIn a move that's bound to spark controversy, Gov. David Paterson has told NY state agencies to recognize gay marriages that are legally performed in other states and countries. May 29)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] (SOT DAVID PATERSON/ GOVERNOR NEW YORK) we would extend to people who were married in other states whether married of opposite sex or the same sex the same opportunities in New York.IT'S A SMALL STEP, BUT FOR SAkME SEX MARRIAGE SUPPORTERS IT'S AN IMPORTANT ONE....IN A PRESS CONFERENCE THURSDAY NEW YORK GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON SAID STATE AGENCIES MUST RECOGNIZE SAME SEX MARRIAGES PERFORMED IN PLACES WHERE THEY ARE LEGAL...AS THE DECISION COMES ON THE HEELS OF CALIFORNIA'S RECENT MOVE TO ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE LICENSES, PATERSON SAYS HIS DECISION WAS NOT INTENDED TO PUSH FOR LEGALIZING GAY MARRIAGE, IT IS ABOUT UPHOLDING THE LAWS ALREADY IN PLACE(SOT DAVID PATERSON/ GOVERNOR NEW YORK) I AM TAKING THE SAME APPROACH AS THIS STATE ALWAYS HAS WITH RESPECT TO OUT OF STATE OR OUT OF MARRIAGES CONDUCTED IN FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS CONDUCTED HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORKPATERSON GAVE NEW YORK STATE AGENCIES A JUNE 30TH DEADLINE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH HUMAN RIGHTS' LAWS....THE MOVE TO RECOGNIZE SAME SEX MARRIAGES WILL LIFT A LOT OF RED TAPE FOR COUPLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ISSUES SUCH AS HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR A SPOUSE, PROPERTY INHERITANCE, ADOPTION RIGHTS AMONG OTHER THINGS...AS PROMISING AS THE GOVERNORS' REMARKS ARE FOR GAY COUPLES, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT NEW YORK STILL DENIES SAME SEX MARRIAGE LICENSES(SOT SUSAN SOMMER/ LAMBDA LEGAL/ GAY RIGHTS ADVOCATE) "IT REALLY IS A SLAP IN THE FACE THAT YOUR OWN STATE WON'T LET YOU MARRY HERE IT'S A BIG HELP TO KNOW IF YOU GO AND GET MARRIED SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT IT WILL BE RESPECTED BUT IT'S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR KNOWING THAT YOU CAN DO IT RIGHT HERE AT HOME"(SOT DAN WHITMAN/GAY RIGHTS ADVOCATE) "THE TRUTH IS THAT THIS IS WONDERFUL AND THIS WILL BE HELPFUL BUT THERE ARE OVER A THOUSAND RIGHTS THAT WE AS LESBIAN AND GAY PEOPLE DONT GET AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THOSE WILL BE FULFILLED WITH GETTING STATE RIGHTS"DAN WHITMAN HAS BEEN WITH HIS PARTNER FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS, AS HAPPY AS HE IS TO HEAR THAT HIS GOVERNOR IS TAKING STEPS TO PROTECT HIS RIGHTS, WHITMAN'S STILL DISHEARTENED IT'S TAKING SO LONG FOR SUCH A LIBERAL STATE TO ALLOW HIM AND HIS PARTNER TO BE MARRIED LEGALLY(SOT DAN WHITMAN/GAY RIGHTS ADVOCATE) "MARRIAGE IS ONE OF THE MOST SACRED INSTITUTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY IT PROVIDES PROTECTION KKAND SAFETY AND VALIDATES A FAMILY AND THAT'S REALLY ALL WE'RE INTERESTED IN"WHITMAN AND HIS PARTNER ARE PLANNING TO GET MARRIED IN CALIFORNIA....HE WANTS TO BE A PART OF A MOVEMENT HE HOPES HIS STATE WILL ALSO BE A PART OF SOON.....BONNY GHOSH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK. ___ ___, The Associated Press.
