User:K!r!lleXXI/LGBT rights in Russia
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) persons in Russia may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents, though many advances have been made in the past two decades. As of 2008[update] (when men who have sex with men were finally allowed to donate blood),[2] Russia has no criminal law on federal level directed at LGBT people, but since male homosexual acts were decriminalized in 1993,[1] authorities have done nothing to enact legislation to address discrimination or harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.[3] However, local legislature of Ryazan region legislatively prohibited "propaganda of homosexuality among minors"[4] and established fines for that administrative offense.[5] A similar law is scheduled to be considered in Arkhangelsk region in September of 2011.[6]
- The age of consent currently stands at 16 since 2003, regardless of sexual orientation.
- Transsexual and transgender people can change their legal gender after corresponding medical procedures since 1997.[note 2]
- Homosexuality was officially removed from the Russian list of mental illnesses in 1999 (after endorsing ICD-10).
- There is currently no legal recognition of same-sex couples in Russia, and same-sex marriages are not allowed. Public support for gay marriages is at 14% as of 2005[update].[7][8]
- Single persons can adopt children, regardless of sexual orientation, but only married couples can adopt children together, as a couple.[note 3]
- Gay people (at least officially) can serve in the military on a par with heterosexual people since 2003.[9]
LGBT rights in Russia | |
---|---|
Status | Legal since 1993[1] Age of consent stands at 16 since 2003[note 1] |
Gender identity | Legal gender change since 1997 |
Military | No official limits since 2003 |
Discrimination protections | None |
Family rights | |
Recognition of relationships | No recognition of same-sex relationships |
Restrictions | Article 12 of Family Code: marriage is a union of a man and a woman |
Adoption | No legal restrictions to adopt by a single person |
Public opinion about LGBT topics and people tends to be negative. There is a visible LGBT community network, mostly in major cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg, including nightclubs and political organizations.