On July 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed new legislation that delivers a devastating blow to Russia's LGBTQ community by outlawing gender-affirming procedures.

The bill received unanimous approval from both houses of parliament and prohibits any "medical interventions aimed at changing the sex of a person, as well as changing one's gender in official documents and public records," with the exception of medical interventions for congenital anomalies.

Additionally, the legislation nullifies marriages in which one person has transitioned gender and bars transgender individuals from becoming foster or adoptive parents. This ban is part of the Kremlin's ongoing campaign to protect what it perceives as the nation's "traditional values."

Lawmakers argue that the new legislation is necessary to safeguard Russia against "Western anti-family ideology," with some going as far as describing gender transitioning as "pure satanism." The targeting of the LGBTQ community in Russia began a decade ago when Putin first prioritized "traditional family values," echoing the support of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In 2013, the Kremlin introduced legislation that prohibited any public endorsement of "nontraditional sexual relations among minors." Last year, Putin pushed through constitutional reform that not only outlawed same-sex marriage but also signed a law banning the "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among adults."

With the recent legislation now effectively criminalizing gender-affirming procedures, the LGBTQ community in Russia faces increasing hardships and marginalization. This wave of legislative measures underscores the challenging environment for LGBTQ individuals in Russia and raises concerns about violations of human rights and the erosion of personal liberties.

Activists and international organizations have continuously condemned Russia's actions, highlighting the need for greater protection, inclusion, and acceptance for the LGBTQ community both within Russia and globally.