A French mayor is facing charges of discrimination after refusing to marry a same-sex couple. Jean-Michel Colo, the Mayor for Arcangues, explained he would rather ‘go to the gallows’ than abide by new marriage equality laws.

Already facing huge backlash from LGBT advocates, Colo could face up to five years imprisonment or a fine of €75,000 ($105,000AUD) for refusing to wed Guy Martineau-Espel and his partner Jean-Michel Martin.

Denying homophobia, the Mayor explains his refusal stems from the belief that new marriage equality laws in France are ‘illegitimate’. It is alleged that the Mayor has previously stated that,

“For me, marriage is for a woman and man to have children. I am not discriminating as a same-sex couple is sterile. It’s a parody of equality, it’s a big lie.”

“Everyone does what they want behind closed bedroom doors, but if you ask me as the mayor to support it, then I am very uncomfortable with it”.

Despite the fact the couple did not wish to make an issue of the refusal, they will now be taking Colo to court, where his refusal will be overruled.