Russia's State Duma, the lower chamber of parliament, has banned the adoption of children by foreign same-sex couples.
The bill, an amendment to the law on the protection of orphans, was approved in its final reading on June 21.
The bill bans adoption of Russian orphans by foreign same-sex couples and single foreign nationals from countries where same-sex marriages are legalized.
Following the vote, Duma deputies from various parties explained their backing of the bill.
"People in the regions demand stricter family rules," Aleksei Mitrofanov of the Liberal Democratic Party said. "In this case the lawmakers follow these demands. We have regional and municipal elections coming up. I think this law also has a lot to do with the local elections."
"We do not understand how we can promote same-sex marriages, make them legal, or even give away our Russian children to be brought up there," the Communist Party's Anatoly Lokot said. "This cripples people's minds, and we should be honest about it -- mankind's development in this direction leads to a dead end."
"Our position is quite clear, it has been stated before, the president has already talked about it," Vladimir Vasilyev of the pro-Kremlin United Russia party said. "More than 80 percent of Russian society supports this position."
The legislation now goes to the upper chamber of parliament, the Federation Council.
If approved, the amendment must be signed by President Vladimir Putin to come into force.
Putin has publicly stated earlier that he would sign the law if approved by the parliament.
The bill, an amendment to the law on the protection of orphans, was approved in its final reading on June 21.
The bill bans adoption of Russian orphans by foreign same-sex couples and single foreign nationals from countries where same-sex marriages are legalized.
Following the vote, Duma deputies from various parties explained their backing of the bill.
"People in the regions demand stricter family rules," Aleksei Mitrofanov of the Liberal Democratic Party said. "In this case the lawmakers follow these demands. We have regional and municipal elections coming up. I think this law also has a lot to do with the local elections."
"We do not understand how we can promote same-sex marriages, make them legal, or even give away our Russian children to be brought up there," the Communist Party's Anatoly Lokot said. "This cripples people's minds, and we should be honest about it -- mankind's development in this direction leads to a dead end."
"Our position is quite clear, it has been stated before, the president has already talked about it," Vladimir Vasilyev of the pro-Kremlin United Russia party said. "More than 80 percent of Russian society supports this position."
The legislation now goes to the upper chamber of parliament, the Federation Council.
If approved, the amendment must be signed by President Vladimir Putin to come into force.
Putin has publicly stated earlier that he would sign the law if approved by the parliament.
