Russian Duma bans all gender reassignment surgeries

The Russian Duma on Friday approved legislation to ban gender reassignment surgeries in the country and to forbid people from changing their gender on official documents.

"We are the only European country that opposes all that is happening in the States, in Europe and does everything to save families and traditional values," said Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, the BBC reported. "And we need to understand that there won't be any future if we don't adopt the law, if we don't ban gender change."

The legislation now heads to the Federal Council, the legislature's upper chamber, and will require the approval of President Vladimir Putin from there, though it is likely to secure the support of both.

The Russian Interior Ministry says that roughly 2,990 people changed their genders between 2016 and 2022. The country is largely hostile to LGBTQ rights and is one of a host of Eastern European nations that does not permit same-sex marriage.

Russian law already does not permit public demonstrations of or for LGBT initiatives.

Under Putin, Russian media and politicians have highlighted the contrast between western approaches to LGBT issues and those of Moscow, positioning the Russian president as a defender of traditional national values. He further enjoys close ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, which does not permit same-sex marriage or condone gender transitions.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.