The State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, has given its initial approval to a proposed law that would ban the adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal. The legislation must pass two more readings in the Duma before moving to the upper house and eventually to President Vladimir Putin for final approval. This move is part of a broader trend in Russia to tighten regulations around sexual minorities, with President Putin and other officials championing “traditional values” as a response to what is perceived as Western liberalism seen as corrupting.

Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin emphasized that the bill aims to safeguard childhood and traditional values and would impact citizens from numerous countries around the world. The focus is on shielding Russian children from potential risks that may arise from being adopted or taken into guardianship by individuals from countries where gender reassignment is legally permitted. Irina Yarovaya, a parliament deputy speaker, stressed the importance of Russia’s moral principles in protecting traditional values, such as the understanding of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and underscored the fundamental importance of safeguarding children’s lives.

In a further crackdown on LGBTQ rights, Russia’s Supreme Court designated the LGBTQ movement as extremist in the preceding year. Additionally, in 2022, President Putin signed a law banning the spread of LGBTQ information to individuals of all age groups, which expanded on a previous prohibition from 2013 that pertained specifically to minors. On the same day as the approval of the adoption ban bill, the Duma was set to review other draft laws that would prohibit the dissemination of information promoting the choice to not have children.

With Russia facing a declining population, President Putin has actively promoted the idea of large families and even encouraged women to consider having up to eight children. This push for population growth aligns with broader efforts by the Russian government to address demographic challenges and bolster the country’s population numbers.