The first ever mayor in the US state of Mississippi has declared his support for same-sex marriage.

Waveland Mayor David Garcia, signed up to Freedom to Marry’s list of mayors in support of same-sex marriage.

“We know many people in loving and committed same-sex relationships who are active participants in improving our communities, and we’ve seen how important marriage has been for them and their families,” Garcia said in a statement.

“Because I believe in fairness for all American families, I support the freedom to marry for same-sex couples willing to take on that commitment.”

The group is an initiative of Freedom to Marry, a national same-sex marriage advocacy group, and has hundreds of mayors signed up.

A Mississippi law that legalises anti-gay discrimination on the grounds of ‘religious freedom’ came info effect at the beginning of this month. Mississippi passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in April, which legalises discrimination against gay and lesbian people based on religious beliefs.

Several cities in the state have attempted to opt out of the law, approving resolutions which reinforce the equality of its LGBT residents.

Equality Mississippi are resisting the law by distributing window stickers for businesses saying: “We don’t discriminate – If you’re buying, we’re selling!”.