White House marks LGBT Pride Month on eve of legal gay marriage in Illinois: Presidential proclamation notes anniversary of Stonewall riots and changing views of same-sex marriage across US; Guardian, 5/31/14

Jessica Glenza, Guardian; White House marks LGBT Pride Month on eve of legal gay marriage in Illinois: Presidential proclamation notes anniversary of Stonewall riots and changing views of same-sex marriage across US:

"Sunday is the first day of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, an occasion marked by the White House and couples in Illinois, the most recent state to begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

"This month, as we mark 45 years since the patrons of the Stonewall Inn defied an unjust policy and awakened a nascent movement, let us honor every brave leader who stood up, sat in, and came out,” read a presidential proclamation issued on Friday.

The Stonewall Inn is often referred to as the “birthplace” of the modern gay rights movement. In 1969, New York City police raided the bar and arrested customers on “public morals” charges, sparking demonstrations that summer..."

And as Friday's presidential proclamation pointed out, many LGBT couples around the world face persecution and discrimination.

"In many places around the globe, LGBT people face persecution, arrest, or even state-sponsored execution,” said the proclamation. "This is unacceptable. The United States calls on every nation to join us in defending the universal human rights of our LGBT brothers and sisters.”"