President Obama’s inaugural speech yesterday was widely hailed by gay activists after he called for marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Today, however, the White House reaffirmed the president’s position that the issue should be decided by the states, rather than the federal government.

“The president believes that it's an issue that should be addressed by the States,” Carney asserted at the White House Press Briefing today when asked by a reporter about the issue.

After highlighting racial and gender equality, the Obama noted in his speech that “our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law.”

“If we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well,” he added.