Russia moves to ban adoption by citizens of countries permitting gender transition
Russia’s lower house of parliament has taken a step toward prohibiting the adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal.
Russia’s lower house of parliament has taken a step toward prohibiting the adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal. The Duma voted overwhelmingly in favor of the first reading of this proposed law on Wednesday, part of a broader trend of tightening restrictions on sexual minorities in Russia.
The measure aims to pass two more readings in the Duma before advancing to the upper house and, ultimately, to President Vladimir Putin for approval. Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin emphasized the bill’s focus on “protecting childhood and traditional values,” asserting that it would impact citizens from dozens of nations. “It is necessary to protect our children from the dangers they may face in adoption or guardianship by citizens of foreign countries where gender reassignment is permitted,” he stated.
Irina Yarovaya, the deputy speaker of parliament, reinforced this sentiment, saying, “The issue is not that Russia’s moral compass and moral foundations aim to protect traditional values, and understanding of marriage as the union of man and woman, but it’s the direct protection of a child’s life.”
This proposed law follows a series of government actions against LGBTQ rights, including a Supreme Court ruling last year that designated the LGBTQ movement as extremist. In 2022, Putin signed a law expanding a previous ban on the distribution of LGBTQ information, now prohibiting such content for all ages.
In a related legislative effort, the Duma is also considering bills that would criminalize the dissemination of information regarding voluntary childlessness. Amidst Russia’s declining population, President Putin has advocated for larger families, even urging women to have as many as eight children.
The proposed adoption ban reflects Russia’s increasingly conservative stance on social issues, framing it as a defense of “traditional values” in the face of what officials characterize as Western liberalism. As the legislation progresses, it underscores a growing chasm between Russia and many Western nations on issues of gender and family rights.
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