Oregon Public Broadcasting

New York Governor David Paterson directed his state agencies this week to recognize gay marriages performed in other states. As April Baer reports, it's not yet clear how that might affect same-sex couples from Oregon.

On the surface, New York's directive looks pretty good for couples who've taken advantage of Oregon's domestic partnership law. But it's not definitive.

Alan Van Capelle: "This is a great day to be happy, but don't buy your plane tickets right away."

Alan Van Capelle is executive director of Empire State Pride Agenda, a New York gay rights group.

Alan Van Capelle: "I think there's some questions about what's happening with civil unions, because this only applies to marriage licenses right now."

And Oregon's law provides for domestic partnerships, not civil unions.

New York is one of the few states without a Defense of Marriage Act on the books. Those usually bar recognition of gay marriages from out of state.

Van Capelle is quick to point out that Governor Paterson's directive might be challenged in court.