in may 2008, paterson informed new york state agencies that they were required to recognize same-sex marriage licenses from other jurisdictions for purposes of employee benefits. the governor's directive was purportedly based upon a decision from new york supreme court, appellate division's fourth department. the governor's directive did not receive widespread public attention until weeks after the directive was given. at that time, the governor's decision provoked public reaction on both sides of the issue. while paterson's directive received widespread approval from same-sex marriage supporters, it was met with criticism from conservative legislators and from same-sex marriage opponents, one of whom referred to the directive as governor paterson's "first major blunder". then-senate majority leader joseph bruno and others accused paterson of having overstepped his bounds and usurped the authority of the legislature. paterson reportedly described same-sex marriage as "beautiful," and contended that his decision was "the right thing to do"; the governor was enthusiastically cheered when he attended the 2008 gay pride parade in manhattan.