Russian parliament supports prohibition on adoptions from nations permitting gender reassignment.

The Russian parliament has taken the initial steps towards passing legislation that would ban nationals from countries allowing gender changes from adopting Russian children, citing the need to uphold traditional values. This move comes after Russia implemented a ban on gender reassignment within its own borders and cracked down on LGBTQ rights. The State Duma voted overwhelmingly in favor of the adoption ban, with only one dissenting vote. Officials in support of the legislation argue that it is necessary to protect Russian children from potential dangers in countries where gender reassignment is allowed. They claim that adoptees could be at risk of having their gender changed or being sexually exploited in such countries. Russia previously banned adoptions by U.S. citizens in 2012, and foreign adoptions have decreased significantly, with only six children adopted by foreign nationals in 2023. The ban on adoptions from countries allowing gender changes is seen as a further step in Russia’s efforts to promote traditional values and guard against perceived threats from the West, which it views as morally decadent.

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