The move appeared to signal a new approach for Obama, who has previously said each state should decide for itself on the question of same-sex marriage, but avoided specific endorsement or condemnation of individual pieces of legislation.

“While the president does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the record is clear that the president has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same sex couples,” said Cameron French, Obama’s campaign spokesman for North Carolina.

“That’s what the North Carolina ballot initiative would do, it would single out and discriminate against committed gay and lesbian couples. And that’s why the president does not support it,” he said.