Washington, D.C. ? Hillary Rodham Clinton said she would defend gay rights as president and eliminate disparities for same-sex couples in federal law, including immigration and tax policy.

Clinton said states such as New Jersey and Massachusetts are extending rights to gay couples “and the federal government should recognize that and should extend the same access to federal benefits across the board. I will very much work to achieve that.”

Clinton’s comments came in an interview with the Philadelphia Gay News that was posted on its Web site Thursday.

Clinton said she opposes a measure that would ban gay marriage in Pennsylvania.