NY Governor David Paterson issued an order via his legal counsel, David Nocentito, charging state agencies to recognize same sex unions performed in other states (and abroad) in the same fashion as other marriages. Governor Paterson's order, given on May 14th, preceeded the California Supreme Court's decision to end the denial of marriage rights to LGBT couples in California. The New York Times reports:

In the directive, Mr. Nocenti wrote that state agencies should review all rules and regulations to determine whether they conflict with recognition of same-sex marriages and report back to him by June 30. Mr. Nocenti said that state agencies that did not provide "full faith and credit to same-sex marriages" could be subject to liability.

He said that many changes could be made through internal memos or policy statements, but that regulatory changes might be needed in some cases.

Mr. Nocenti directed agency heads to a list of state regulations and statutes that were likely to need overhaul, including measures affecting a spouse's ability to collect a deceased spouse's pension and to continue to use public housing.

Gov. Paterson, following former Governor Eliot Spitzer, has indicated his support for full legal recognition for same sex marriage in New York State, but the measure has been held up in the Republican dominated NY senate.

Update
Colbert interviews Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Counsel on marriage equality:

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hat tip Lawyers, Guns & Money