WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Two national gay rights groups endorsed Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, who is openly gay, in his bid for Congress in the First District on Monday.

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, announced its support of Cicilline for his "long record of supporting full equality for the LBGT community" and his record as Providence mayor.

In a separate announcement, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a group that provides financial and campaign support to gay and lesbian political candidates, threw their support to Cicilline for his "reputation as a reformer who helped root out corruption and lower the city's crime rate."

Cicilline was Providence's first openly gay mayor when elected in 2002. He announced his candidacy for Congress on Feb. 13, hoping to succeed U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who is not seeking re-election.

If elected, Cicilline would become only the fourth sitting openly gay member of Congress, according to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

The three openly gay members of Congress are Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.).

Three other openly gay Americans have served in Congress previously: the late Rep. Gerry Studds (D-Mass.); former Rep. Steve Gunderson (R-Wis.); and former Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.).