Gays in this state say that as tax-paying, law-abiding New Yorkers, they should not be denied the more than 1,300 rights automatically accorded to heterosexual married couples.

They and their advocates say they will keep pressing for New York state to make gay marriage legal, adding that they believe the outcry will lessen every time a state gives its approval to gay marriage.

Nyack’s Mayor John Shields — who with his partner and four other gay couples sued the town of Orangetown in 2004 over the denial of marriage licenses — hailed the Paterson decision.

“If you look at the progression of things, as more and more states like California go about this, there’s less and less reaction,” Shields said on Thursday. “In Massachusetts, the state has not fallen apart. Everything is going on as it has been. Families are still intact … .”

Opposition from religious leaders has focused on Biblical teachings. The Rev. Allen Kemp of Suffern Presbyterian Church did not support the Paterson directive.

“I think many in the gay community would welcome this, but as a clergy person who believes in the scripture, I don’t think it’s a good decision,” Kemp said.

Massachusetts is the only U.S. state that recognizes same-sex marriage.

Other jurisdictions that permit same-sex marriages include Canada, South Africa, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands, the Associated Press said.

California is set to begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples beginning June 17.