Russia adoption ban for countries allowing gender transition passes first stage

A session of the State Duma, in Moscow on Wednesday (The State Duma, Lower House of the Russian Parliament Press Service via AP)

The lower house of Russia’s parliament on Wednesday gave overwhelming approval to the first reading of a proposed law to prohibit the adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal.

The measure, which would need to pass two more readings in the Duma before being sent to the upper house and then to President Vladimir Putin, follows a series of other laws and rulings that clamp down on sexual minorities.