Russia's parliament passes bill to ban adoptions by citizens of gender-transition countries

Russia's lower house of parliament has passed a bill banning the adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal. This measure follows previous laws aimed at suppressing sexual minorities. The bill, authored by Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, cites concerns about potential dangers for adopted children in these countries. It targets at least 15 nations, primarily in Europe, as well as Australia, Argentina, and Canada. Additionally, the Duma approved a measure to impose fines for promoting a child-free lifestyle, with penalties reaching up to 5 million rubles (about $50,000). These actions align with Russia's recent push to reinforce traditional values against Western liberalism.