By John Mack Freeman
Russia has once again upped the ante on its discrimination against LGBT people. On December 29th, the Russian Ministry of Health adopted an updated list of “diseases” (sarcastic quotes) that are contraindicated to driving. These include, according to Human Rights First, “being transgender, bigender, asexual, and cross dressing.” The press release went on to say:
“Banning people from driving based on their gender identity or expression is ridiculous and just another example of the Russian regime’s methodical rollback of basic human rights for its citizens,” said Human Rights First’s Shawn Gaylord. “Beyond the denial of basic freedoms, this provision may deter transgender people from seeking mental health services for fear of receiving a diagnosis that would strip them of their right to drive, and leaves the door open for increased harassment, persecution, and discrimination of transgender people by Russian authorities. We urge the United States to immediately condemn this provision and to press the Russian government to repeal this decision.”
This comes on the heels of another attack at an LGBT Russian club a week ago. The measure was approved and signed into law by Prime Minister Medvedev
