President Vladimir Putin has signed a law banning foreign gay and lesbian couples from adopting Russian children today (3 July).

It follows the legalization of ‘non-traditional relationships’ propaganda also signed into law three days ago, effectively making homophobia legal.

In a statement, the Kremlin said the law is aimed at ‘guaranteeing a harmonious and full upbringing for children in adoptive families’.

They say the law will ‘protect children’s minds and consciousness of the possible undesirable effects – as well as the emergence of complex, emotional suffering and stress, which, according to studies by psychologists often have children raised by same-sex parents’.

The law will also ban by individual people who live in countries with marriage equality.

Speaking to Gay Star News, gay rights activist Nikolai Alekseev described it as a ‘very sad situation’.

‘All the world is in a different direction legalizing same-sex relations and recognizing the rights of LGBT people and Russia is going in the opposite direction in the fundamental civil rights,’ he said.

‘For me, for any normal person, it’s much better for a child to be in a loving same-sex family than to be staying in a place for children with really bad conditions.’

Alekseev added the law would only increase corruption in adoptions, saying gay people will likely still be able to adopt as long as they pay more.

Veteran gay activist Peter Tatchell, who has branded Putin the Czar of Homophobia, told Gay Star News: ‘This is another outrageous attack on LGBT human rights by the Putin regime.

‘It is an attack on same-sex love and families. The Russian state is sending a message that LGBT people are unfit to care for children.

‘This message legitimates hatred and colludes with the homophobic bigotry that is leading to queer-bashing violence all across the Russian Federation.’

In two recent studies, one published in 2010 and the other in 2013, it found same-sex couples raised happier and healthier children than straights.

The findings of this latest study supports long-term research published in 2010, which showed children raised by lesbian parents develop into psychologically healthier teens than those raised by opposite sex couples. – See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/gay-parents-have-happier-healthier-kids-straights050613#sthash.IAf1deXY.dpuf

The findings of this latest study supports long-term research published in 2010, which showed children raised by lesbian parents develop into psychologically healthier teens than those raised by opposite sex couples. – See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/gay-parents-have-happier-healthier-kids-straights050613#sthash.IAf1deXY.dpuf

The findings of this latest study supports long-term research published in 2010, which showed children raised by lesbian parents develop into psychologically healthier teens than those raised by opposite sex couples. – See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/gay-parents-have-happier-healthier-kids-straights050613#sthash.IAf1deXY.dpuf