It’s official: Gay couples who live outside of Russia can no longer adopt children, due to a new restriction signed into law Wednesday by President Vladimir Putin.
“The measure is aimed at guaranteeing a harmonious and full upbringing for children in adoptive families,” the Kremlin said in a statement, Agence France-Presse reported.
Civil rights groups slammed the new law, which also bans adoptions by couples who are unmarried and living in nations that allow for legal same-sex marriages.
The bill, which was backed by a large majority in the Kremlin and rushed through parliament, comes as marriage laws go into effect in France and as other nations such as Ireland and United States mull similar pro-gay benefits.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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