An opinion by Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch that the Ocean State should recognize same-sex marriage performed in Massachusetts will have little practical impact on either state, officials and advocates said.

Rhode Island already has a domestic partnership law that requires the state to grant its gay employees who have domestic partners the same benefits of married couples, said Jeff Neal, a spokesman for Gov. Don Carcieri.

In other words, regardless whether a gay couple gets married, they still get the benefit of family health insurance plans and other benefits if they work for the state.

"It's not clear it would have a substantial impact," he said of Lynch's opinion.

Lynch issued an opinion that Rhode Island should recognize same-sex marriages performed in Massachusetts. The attorney general said Rhode Island's constitution and laws do not prohibit same-sex marriage, so they should be recognized just as traditional marriages performed in other states are.

The opinion was issued after gay employees of the state university system applied to have their martial status changed after they got married in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts is the only state that has same-sex marriage.

Steve Maurano, a spokesman for the board of higher education, said the employees' martial status in their personnel files will be changed to say they are married, but it will not mean a change in benefits.

"At this point, we certainly intend to follow his advice," he said of the attorney general's opinion.

Karen Loewy, staff attorney for Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, said there is no reason to believe the decision will lead to an increase in gay couples coming to Massachusetts to get married.

She said the most lasting impact is that it might encourage the Rhode Island Legislature to legalize gay marriage.

Attleboro, because it is just over the state line, has become a frequent location for Rhode island same-sex couples to apply for a marriage license.

The city clerk's office, however, does not keep statistics on how many licenses it issues to out of state couples.

Lynch's own sister recently got married to her partner in an Attleboro civil ceremony. JIM HAND covers politics for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0399 or at jhand@thesunchronicle.com.