Evangelical Christian leader Franklin Graham has denounced President Barack Obama's decision to create a new national monument to recognise the gay rights movement. 

Graham said it would amount to a "monument to sin".

The new national monument is expected to honour the area of Greenwich Village which for decades has been the heart of gay life in New York and which is remembered for the 1969 protests after police raided the Stonewall Inn.

In 1969 it was illegal to serve alcohol to gay people, or for gay people to dance together.

The Inn still operates out of the same space although it is smaller than it was then. 

Writing on Facebook, Graham, who heads the charity Samaritan's Purse, said: "A monument to sin? That's unbelievable. War heroes deserve a monument, our nation's founding fathers deserve a monument, people who have helped to make America strong deserve a monument — but a monument to sin?"

He intervened after the Washington Post reported that President Obama is poised to declare the first-ever national monument in New York recognising "the struggle for gay rights".

Graham added: "It's no surprise that the three officials who represent the area and support the monument are all openly gay. I can't believe how far our country has digressed. I hope that the president will reconsider. Flaunting sin is a dangerous move. God's Word tells us, 'Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people' (Proverbs 14:34)."