Asked if marriage is a civil right at his press conference Wednesday, President Obama espoused his support for gay, lesbian and transgendered Americans -- but again declined to express support for same-sex marriage.

In his first solo press conference since March, the president said New York's passage last week of a law making same-sex marriage legal was "a good thing." But he cast that perspective in the context of the value of "having a debate, talking through these issues."

When asked explicitly if he personally supports same-sex marriage, the president declined to answer.

"I'm not gonna make news on that today," he said before moving on to another topic.