Gov. Mark Dayton will be the first Minnesota governor ever to participate in the Twin Cities annual gay and lesbian parade. The Twin Cities Pride Parade takes place in Minneapolis on Sunday.

In a proclamation, the DFL governor proclaimed June "Pride Month" in the state, and noted that Minneapolis was the first city in Minnesota to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The governor said that "residents and visitors alike are encouraged to participate in the numerous Pride Month activities across Minnesota, and support the ongoing efforts leading Minnesota toward full [gay and lesbian] equality."

Here's the proclaimation:

Pride Month