Less than a week after Russian's lower
house of parliament, the Duma, approved a bill which seeks to outlaw
“gay propaganda,” it has unanimously backed a second reading of a
proposal seeking to ban adoption of orphans by foreign gay couples
from nations which have legalized gay nuptials.
(Related: Russian
Duma approves bill against “gay propaganda.”)
Approval by the upper house is
considered a formality and President Vladimir Putin has pledged his
signature.
The bill would also ban single foreign
nationals, regardless of sexual orientation, from becoming adoptive
parents or legal guardians of Russian children.
Those prohibited include “persons in
a marriage union between people of the same sex registered in a state
where such a union is allowed, as well as citizens of such states
that are not married.”
Many see the ban as a reaction to the
recent legalization of such unions in France and the imminent passage
in England and Wales.
“We respect our partners but ask them
to respect Russia's cultural traditions and ethical, legal and moral
standards,” Putin is quoted by the
BBC as recently saying.
The Duma is expected to give its final
approval on Friday.