Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008. He was also the Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012.
Russian lawmakers adopt bill banning gender change in new blow to LGBTQ+ rights
Lawmakers in Russia’s lower house of parliament have unanimously adopted a bill banning legally or medically changing gender, in a move seen as part of a further crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights under President Vladimir Putin.The toughened version of the bill outlaws any medical interventions aimed at changing the sex of a person, as well as changing one’s gender on official documents and public records.In addition, in its second reading on Thursday, clauses were added that annul marriages in which one person has “changed gender” and bar transgender people from becoming foster or adoptive parents.The only exception to the new bill will be medical interventions to treat congenital anomalies.Although it still needs to be passed by the Federation Council, Russia’s Kremlin-controlled upper chamber, the green light from the Duma all but guarantees the bill's ultimate passage into law.Its approval is seen as part of the Kremlin’s crusade to protect what it views as the country’s “traditional values”, with Putin repeatedly saying that the West's acceptance of LGBTQ+ lifestyles is evidence of moral decay."We are the only European country that is now counteracting what is happening in the United States and Europe.
And we're doing everything to protect the family and traditional values,” said the chairman of the Russian State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin.Speaking during the vote, he added that he believed there would be no future if Russia did not ban gender change."When someone changes gender just because the person wakes up in the morning and thinks he is no longer a boy, but a girl.
