LGBTQ

In Another Crackdown on LGBTQ Rights, Russia Has Passed A Bill That Bans People From Changing Their Gender

The bill will now go to the upper house and president Vladimir Putin, who are expected to approve it as a formality.

Kassy Cho

Kassy Cho

— 3 min read
In Another Crackdown on LGBTQ Rights, Russia Has Passed A Bill That Bans People From Changing Their Gender

In another crackdown on LGBTQ rights, Russia has passed a bill that bans people from changing their gender.

A man holds a placard showing Russian president Vladimir Putin during a demonstration at WorldPride 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Passed on Thursday July 13, the bill would stop Russians from being able to change their gender on legal documents, which is something they have been able to do since 1997.

russia gay propaganda bill rainbow protest
LGBTQ rights activists take part in a gay pride event in Saint Petersburg on June 29, 2013. (AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA)

It would also make it illegal for health workers to perform medical procedures that are “aimed at changing the sex of a person”.

Lawmakers also added new clauses to annul marriages where one person has changed gender and ban trans people from adopting children.

russia gay propaganda ban kiss
LGBTQ rights activists kiss as they take part in a flash mob devoted to the World Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in St. Petersburg, on May 17, 2014. (OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images)

The chairman of the lower house of Duma said that the decision will “protect” Russia’s citizens and children.

russia lgbt police arrest
A LGBTQ rights activist isarrested by riot police during a Gay Pride event in St. Petersburg, June 29, 2013. (Photo via Getty Images)

The bill is seen as the latest crackdown on LGBTQ rights under Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Police detain a LGBTQ rights activist during May Day demonstration in Saint Petersburg, Russia on May 1, 2016. (Photo by Valya Egorshin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

In 2013, Russia passed a law that banned “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations”.

russia lgbtq arrest police
Russian riot policemen detain a LGBTQ rights activist during an unauthorized gay rights activists rally in cental Moscow on May 25, 2013.(Photo by ANDREY SMIRNOV/AFP via Getty Images)

And in 2020, it outlawed same-sex marriage.

russia moscow lgbt pride parade
LGBTQ rights activists march in the Russian city of St. Petersburg May 1, 2013, during a rally. (Photo by OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images)

The latest bill will now go to the upper house and Putin, who are expected to approve it as a formality.

russia gay propaganda bill pride parade
People wave rainbow flags during a LGBTQ pride rally in Saint Petersburg, on August 12, 2017. (Photo by OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images)

More On LGBTQ Rights In Russia

Russia’s Top Women’s Tennis Player Has Come Out As Gay And Criticized Russia’s Anti-LGBTQ Laws
Russia Is Now Banning All “Gay Propaganda” That Promotes “Non-Traditional” Relationships

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