Russian parliament backs ban on adoptions from countries that allow gender changes

FILE PHOTO: A Russian national flag is seen lowered on the headquarters of State Duma, the lower house of parliament, in Moscow, Russia March 24, 2024. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Russian parliament on Wednesday gave its initial backing to legislation that would ban nationals from countries that allow people to change their gender from adopting Russian children, a move it said was essential to uphold "traditional values."

Russia itself last year introduced a ban on people legally or medically changing their gender, part of a widening crackdown on LGBT rights.