New Orleans Mayor Endorses Same-Sex Marriage

Support for marriage equality in the deep south continued to grow last week when Mitch Landrieu, Democratic mayor of New Orleans publicly endorsed same-sex marriage, HRC reports.

"The mayor has long supported ending marriage discrimination at all levels of government," Landrieu spokesman Tyler Gamble said in an e-mail toThe Advocate. "As an employer, the city of New Orleans recognizes domestic partnerships and allows our employees' partners to be eligible for benefits."

Landrieu's name also appeared on a resolution from the U.S. Conference of Mayors that reaffirmed the organization's support for gay marriage rights.

The resolution reads, in part, that the conference "reaffirms its support of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples and urges the federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, to speedily bring national resolution by ruling in favor of the freedom to marry nationwide."

Landrieu's comments are in direct contrast to Louisiana's Republican Governor Bobby Jindal who received a 0% rating from HRC due to his anti-gay stance. Jindal has also been a vocal proponent of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

There are currently three lawsuits challenging Louisiana's ban on same-sex marriage.

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.