Transgender people and others living “non-traditional lifestyles” are no longer qualified to drive in Russia.
BBC reports that a Dec. 29 document that lists medical exclusions for driving includes “mental disorders” such as: transgender, fetishism, exhibitionism, voyeurism and pathological gambling.
The stated goal – reduce accidents.
“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, a lawyer for Human Rights First, in a Thursday press release.
The ban is part of a broad document that lists the physical and mental conditions that exclude drivers from obtaining a license.
The promotion of “non-traditional” lifestyles was made illegal in Russia in 2013.
Gavin Stern is a national digital producer for the Scripps National Desk.