The enactment of new legislation by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which outlaws gender-affirming procedures and further marginalizes the LGBTQ community in Russia, is indeed a significant and concerning development. The legislation received unanimous approval from both houses of parliament, indicating a broad consensus among lawmakers in supporting this discriminatory law.
The new law prohibits medical interventions aimed at changing a person’s sex, and it also restricts individuals from altering their gender details on official documents and public records. The only exceptions to this ban are for medical treatment related to congenital anomalies. Furthermore, the legislation invalidates marriages where one party has undergone a gender change and prevents transgender individuals from becoming foster or adoptive parents, perpetuating discrimination and exclusion against the LGBTQ community.
The justification for this ban is based on the Kremlin’s desire to protect what it perceives as Russia’s “traditional values.” Lawmakers argue that the law is necessary to shield the country from what they view as “Western anti-family ideology,” using extreme rhetoric by characterizing gender transitioning as “pure satanism.”
This crackdown on the LGBTQ community in Russia has been ongoing for a decade, with President Putin emphasizing a focus on “traditional family values” since 2013. This approach has been supported by the Russian Orthodox Church and has led to various laws and constitutional reforms that stifle LGBTQ rights and visibility. The government’s actions have progressively restricted public support and promotion of “nontraditional sexual relations,” affecting minors initially and then being extended to include adults as well.
This latest legislation is a major setback for LGBTQ rights in Russia and raises concerns about the safety and well-being of LGBTQ individuals in the country. It highlights the need for continued advocacy and international attention to address human rights abuses and discrimination against the LGBTQ community in Russia.