Russia’s State Duma Ratifies Bill Banning Gender-Reassignment Procedures

Lawmakers attend a session at the State Duma, the Lower House of the Russian Parliament in Moscow on July 14, 2023. The State Duma, the Lower House of the Russian Parliament via AP

The State Duma (the lower house of Russia’s parliament) on July 14 ratified the third and final reading of draft legislation banning medical procedures for the purpose of gender reassignment.

Once parliament’s upper house endorses the measure, it will be referred to President Vladimir Putin for final approval, after which it will become law.