The new legislation got the green light from both chambers of the Russian Duma, and it's not just about prohibiting "medical interventions aimed at changing the sex of a person." It also blocks people from changing their gender on official documents and public records.
From Fox News:
Lawmakers have framed the legislation as a proactive measure against "Western anti-family ideology."
The legislation was previously passed through both the upper and lower houses of the Russian Parliament — the State Duma and the Federation Council, respectively.
Additional clauses in the bill designates gender changes as grounds for a marriage annulment and bans transgender individuals from adopting children.
It contains the sole exception for medical interventions to treat congenital anomalies.
The bill was strengthened and passed unanimously earlier this month in its third and final reading in the lower house of parliament.
It comes ahead of Russia's 2024 presidential election. Putin has consistently campaigned as a champion of family values, encouraging Russians to marry and have more children and offering monetary awards to parents with large families.
He has developed close ties to the Russian Orthodox Church and, in speeches, has portrayed Western liberal values as destructive compared to "traditional values."
"Do we really want to have here, in our country, in Russia, 'Parent No. 1, No. 2, No. 3' instead of 'Mom' and 'Dad?'" Putin asked in September 2022 at a political ceremony during which Russia formally annexed regions of Ukraine.
That's definitely a firm stand Putin is taking on the hot-button LGBTQ issue.
This will undoubtedly add more fuel to the flames of the left's hatred for the Russian President here in the U.S.
