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Russian lawmakers have approved a toughened version of a bill that outlaws gender transitioning procedures, with added clauses that annul marriages in which one person has changed gender and bar transgender people from becoming foster or adoptive parents.

The bill received unanimous approval from Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, and the third and final reading of the bill is scheduled for Friday.

There is little doubt that the bill, a crippling blow to Russia's oppressed LGBTQ+ community, will be adopted.

Newsday spoke to a transgender man who lives in St. Petersburg. For his own safety, he has not been named. He said: 鈥淭here will be suicides in the trans community, no doubt because it will make some people feel really hopeless and trapped.鈥�

(Photo shows: A demonstrator holds a placard reading 'Save Trans People in Russia' as transgender people and their supporters march through central London during the fifth Trans Pride protest march for transgender freedom and equality in the UK and globally in London, United Kingdom on July 08, 2023. Credit: Getty Images)

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