Russian Parliament Bans Adoption for International Same-Sex Couples

The lower house of Russia's parliament today approved a law banning same-sex couples in any country from adopting Russian children.  RT has more on the latest anti-LGBT news out of the country:

The amendment was passed on Tuesday as the State Duma approved the second reading of the bill to protect orphans.

The amendment also forbids single people who are citizens or permanent residents of countries that allow same sex marriage to become adoptive parents or legal guardians of Russian children.

Russia itself does not allow same sex marriage and the country’s authorities have passed a number of regional and federal bills banning the promotion of gay and other “non-traditional” sex to minors – a move considered as discriminative by a large part of society.

Earlier this month, RT reported that President Putin would sign the adoption bill if it were approved by the State Duma. During a press conference at a Russia-EU summit in early June, Putin told reporters, "You really got me with these same sex marriages. Wherever I go… When I come to Europe they are waving their flags there."

The new adoption ban is the latest in a recent series of disconcerting reports out of Russia concerning homophobia and anti-LGBT violence.  Last week, the State Duma voted unanimously for a ban on so-called "gay propoganda, and a 39-year-old man was murdered because of his sexuality in the region of Kamchatka earlier this month.  In response to the violence, a Russian LGBT group is calling for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics, which are to be held in the Russian city of Sochi.

Russian Official Seeks Moratorium On Adoptions By French Citizens Over Gay Marriage

While gay couples in France are busy celebrating their recent nuptials, a Russian official unhappy with the new reality is seeking a moratorium on child adoptions by French citizens. Pavel Astakhov, Russia's ombudsman for children's rights, said the Russian-French agreement on adoptions should be reconsidered in light of France's endorsement of gay marriage which directly contradicts Russian legislations.

"It is evident that a moratorium should be imposed until [both countries'] legislation is brought into accord. This is logical," Astakhov said.

Astakhov is only the latest Russian official to publicly threaten changing adoption agreements with countries legalizing gay marriage. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia could change agreements for countries that refuse to "respect the cultural traditions and ethical, legal and moral norms of Russia."

[Image via Wikipedia]

Vladimir Putin Says Russia Does Not Discriminate Against Gays

Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared in a press conference in Amsterdam on Monday and said that his country does not discriminate against gay people, Reuters reports:

"In the Russian Federation - so that it is clear to everybody - there is no infringement on the rights of sexual minorities. These people...enjoy all the same rights and freedoms as everyone else."

Tell that to Artem Kalinin:

Or this guy:

Or the protestors who got attacked by these people:

Or these activists with egg on their faces:

Or these demonstrators arrested last December:

Or the people attacked by men in masks on "coming out day":

In January, the Russian Duma passed a ban on gay "propaganda" in a 390-1 vote on its first reading:

But no, gays enjoy the same freedoms as everyone else, according to Putin.

And make sure not to miss my earlier post.

Drag Queen Sings Amazing Protest Anthem Against Russian President Vladimir Putin in Amsterdam: VIDEO

Drag queen Dolly Bellefleur had a massive crowd cheering in Amsterdam with a rollicking anthem about Russia's oppression of LGBT people during a protest yesterday timed to coincide with President Vladimir Putin's visit to the city.

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

Some of the lyrics:

There lives an evil man in Russia nowadays
He supports a law against lesbians and gays
Most people look at him with terror and with fear
Cause he pulls the strings like a wicked puppeteer
It's distressing how he is suppressing homosexuality
In the name of love we are protesting: Set our sisters free.
Stop stop stop Putin - Drop your law at the Kremlin - Love is no crime it's not a disease
Stop stop stop Putin - Your plans are so poisoning - For all the Russian LGBTs.

More Than 3,000 Signed Up for Gay Protest of Putin in Amsterdam as Rainbow Flags Fly at Half Mast

(daniel meis twitter)

Rainbow flags, some at half mast, have been strategically placed across Amsterdam to mark Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit on Monday, AFP reports:

More than 3,300 people have signed up for the COC demonstration against the anti-gay law during President Putin's visit to Amsterdam," COC, the world's oldest gay rights group, said in a statement.

Protesters are targeting a bill before the Russian parliament that bans homosexual "propaganda" among minors. Rights activists and Western governments have condemned the measure, which provides for fines of up to 500,000 roubles (12,500 euros, $15,830) for any "public act" promoting homosexuality or paedophilia.

Putin's visit is centred on trade talks with major partner the Netherlands. He will also attend the opening of an exhibition on Dutch-Russian history at Amsterdam's Hermitage Museum. The main protest is to be staged outside the Maritime History Museum where Putin will be dining with Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Monday evening.

Putin arrives from Germany, where there were also protests.

Putin Wants Ban on Adoption by Foreign Gay Couples

Vladimir Putin wants to bring the hammer down on adoptions by foreign same-sex couples, RT reports:

The government and the Supreme Court have reportedly been requested to come up with amendments to the law by July 1. Most likely the order will be fulfilled by the Ministry of Education and Science, which deals with issues concerning orphans and adoptions, according to Izvestia daily. But the ministry says it has not yet received instructions on the matter.

Tensions over the issue arose in mid-February, after the French National Assembly approved a sweeping bill to legalize gay marriage and allow same-sex couples to adopt children.

Soon after that children’s rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov vowed he would do everything possible to ensure that Russian orphans are only adopted by traditional, heterosexual families.

They add:

The Russian Family Code does not allow same-sex marriage, making adoption by same sex-couples impossible. Adoption by unmarried individuals is technically possible; authorities do not require future parents to present proof of their sexual orientation.