For the first time, the United States has named an international envoy for gay rights. Randy Berry, a veteran diplomat and currently the consul general in the Netherlands, will serve in the post.

Berry’s job will be to lead U.S. efforts to fight violence and discrimination against LGBT individuals overseas and promote human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.

Secretary of State John Kerry said overturning laws that criminalize same-sex activity in more than 75 countries is a priority. Earlier this year, the White House for the first time included human rights protection for LGBT people in its formal national security strategy.

‘‘Defending and promoting the human rights of LGBT persons is at the core of our commitment to advancing human rights globally — the heart and conscience of our diplomacy,’’ Kerry said in a statement. Read the full story here.