Russia Tells All People With ‘Sex Disorders’ To Hand In Their Drivers’ Licenses

Russia has passed into law its latest attack on the LGBT community: taking away driving rights.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (image, left) has signed into law legislation that bans people with “sex disorders” and other physical and emotional “disorders,” or challenges, from driving, in what is claimed to be an attempt to reduce the number of on-road motor vehicle accidents.

Transgender people are no longer allowed to drive, nor are people with what Russia terms “disorders of sexual preference.” It is not currently believed that gay, lesbian, or bisexual people fall into that category, but given President Vladimir Putin‘s war on the LGBT community that could change with clarification. 

The list of people with “disorders” that Russia now sees fit to ban from the roadways include people diagnosed with “sadomasochism,” “paedophilia,” and “exhibitionism,” according to Buzzfeed. So are people shorter than 4’11”, amputees, and people who are colorblind.

“Fetishism, exhibitionism and voyeurism,” according to the BBC, are also on the list, as are pathological gambling and compulsive stealing. 

Human Rights First called the move “an alarming violation of the rights of the transgender community,” noting that the list “includes ‘personality disorders’ as listed by the International Classification of Diseases Number 10 (ICD-10) including being transgender, bigender, asexual, and cross dressing.” The group also states that “citizens with physical disabilities such as amputation” are included on the no-drive list. 

“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 Shawn Gaylord, Human Rights First’s Advocacy Counsel for LGBT Rights. The organization is calling on the U.S. to condemn the move.

“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.”

 

Photo: Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and President Vladimir Putin in 2011. 
Image via the Kremlin