White House: US Increasingly Backing Gay Marriage

The White House says a growing majority of Americans recognize that same-sex couples in loving relationships deserve fair treatment under the law.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest is avoiding weighing in specifically on the Supreme Court's decision to deny appeals from five states seeking to prohibit same-sex marriages. That move means an immediate expansion of gay and lesbian unions. Earnest says there's no specific reaction from the White House to the court's move.

But he also says that ultimately there may be a role for the court to play in determining whether gay marriages should be extended to all states. He says President Barack Obama believes gay marriage should be the law of the land.

The court's order ends marriage delays in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.