Vladimir Putin has repeatedly framed Western attitudes toward Turks and the LGBTQI community as part of a broader critique of liberal values. A conservative shift in Russia continues as the Duma approves and the president signs legislation that explicitly bans gender reassignment. The measure restricts gender reassignment procedures and makes it unlawful to change one’s gender legally without undergoing surgery.
The law includes limited exceptions for medical reasons where intervention is permissible to address certain genetic disorders or hormonal imbalances that interfere with genital function. In a Telegram briefing, parliamentary spokesman Viacheslav Volodin argued that the move would protect citizens and children and described the transgender process as something that corrupts the nation’s fabric.
conservative country
Following approval by the upper chamber and the signature of the president, transgender individuals would face new limits on family life. They would be unable to adopt children and could see marriages terminated if one party has legally changed their gender. This shift aligns with a consistent ideological stance voiced by Russia’s ruling party against Western values. Officials frame tolerance for the LGBTQI community as a foreign influence that threatens traditional and spiritual values they deem central to Russian society. Putin has echoed this stance in his public remarks, pointing to sovereignty and historical self-determination while contrasting Russian traditions with Western social experiments.
In December 2022, the Duma tightened the so-called anti gay propaganda law, expanding its reach to restrict audiovisual and written content featuring gay or transgender characters. The law now extends beyond content aimed at minors, effectively barring portrayals of homosexuality as acceptable in general media. When the stricter rule was enacted, editors and writers faced pressure to adjust their public statements and publications to align with the new legal framework. The regulatory environment continues to influence how Russian media covers issues of gender and sexuality, shaping public discourse and cultural norms across the country.