ATLANTA (AP)- White House spokesman Josh Earnest said President Barack Obama was never under the impression that last year's Supreme Court decision effectively legalizing gay marriage would end the struggle for equality, justice and fairness.
Earnest made the remarks to reporters accompanying Obama as he flew to Atlanta for an unrelated appearance on Tuesday.
The spokesman said the president believes "that we can take all the necessary steps to protect religious freedom without giving people the approval to discriminate against people because of who they love."
A Georgia bill vetoed by Republican Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday would have allowed clergy to refuse to perform gay marriages and church-affiliated religious groups to invoke faith reasons when refusing to serve or hire someone.
