The Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, has been named as the US's first national monument to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights, writes Elizabeth Sleith The US has declared its first national monument to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights.The Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York, was officially recognised with a dedication ceremony on Monday.The historic gay bar is famed as the site of the 1969 protests, sparked when the persecuted patrons resisted a police raid - a typical occurrence at the time as it was illegal to serve gay people alcohol or for gay couples to dance with one another.block_quotes_start To this day, the LGBT community around the globe commemorates that historic time here at The Stonewall Inn by holding Pride Parades block_quotes_endThe arrests and protests that ensued are said by many to have launched the modern LGBT rights movement.Last week, US President Barack Obama said he was designating the area around the bar as the newest addition to America's national park system."I believe our national parks should reflect the full story of our country - the richness and diversity and uniquely American spirit that has always defined us, that we are stronger together. That out of many, we are one," he said.The designation covers Christopher Park, the Stonewall Inn and the surrounding streets where the 1969 uprising was concentrated.story_article_left1On its website, the Stonewall Inn calls itself "the birthplace of the modern Gay Rights movement".Describing how it all began, the site goes on to say, "At 1:20 in the morning on Saturday, June 28, 1969, eight police officers arrived at the Stonewall Inn. Approximately 200 people were in the bar that night. But the raid did not go as planned. This time the patrons refused to cooperate."Whereas usually some people were arrested and others quietly dispersed, this time those released refused to leave. Cut to 4am, when 10 police officers barricaded themselves inside the bar to escape the outrage as protests were ramped up outside. They were eventually rescued by colleagues and 13 people were arrested.Over the course of the next few days, protestors continued to gather outside the bar. The gathering turned into a march, which turned into what is now known as the very first Gay Pride Parade. "To this day, the LGBT community around the globe commemorates that historic time here at The Stonewall Inn by holding Pride Parades," the Stonewall Inn says.Theresa Pierno, the CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association, said the LGBT movement "really is a struggle for human rights and civil rights, and a story that needs to be told"...