Russia’s parliament has moved forward with legislation that bans adoptions from countries where gender reassignment is legally permitted, solidifying the government’s increasing hostility towards LGBTQ rights. This move follows last year’s ban on gender changes within Russia itself, reinforcing the Kremlin’s narrative of defending “traditional values” against what it portrays as the decadent liberalism of the West.
Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Duma and a prominent ally of President Vladimir Putin, declared that the new law is crucial for “protecting childhood” and safeguarding Russian children from the supposed risks associated with being raised by citizens of countries where gender reassignment is legal. “We must protect our children from dangers they may face abroad, including being forced into gender change,” Volodin said, emphasizing the need for legislation that aligns with Russia’s conservative stance on family and identity.
The bill’s co-author, Vasily Piskarev, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that adoptees sent to Western countries risk not only gender changes but also potential sexual exploitation. Though there is no empirical evidence to support these claims, the rhetoric ties into broader Russian efforts to position itself as a bastion of traditional family values amidst a supposed moral decline in Western countries.
This legislation further isolates Russia’s LGBTQ community, which has already faced severe restrictions under laws banning so-called “LGBT propaganda.” Such moves not only marginalize Russia’s LGBTQ citizens but also signal the country’s broader ideological split from the West. The long-term consequences of these policies are troubling, as they not only harm Russia’s global reputation but also increase the risk of discrimination and violence against LGBTQ individuals both within and beyond its borders.
By framing these restrictive policies as a defense of childhood and tradition, Russia continues to use LGBTQ issues as a political tool in its effort to define itself against Western values. While these moves play well to the Kremlin’s conservative base, they deepen the rift between Russia and the international community on human rights issues.
