In April 2026, Belarus adopted Law “On Amendments to the Codes on Administrative Liability Issues” No. 138-Z, which introduces administrative liability for disseminating information for the purpose of forming “perceptions of the attractiveness of,” among other things, homosexual relationships, childlessness, and “sex change.” Although people born with variations in sex characteristics (intersex persons) constitute a …
In early 2026, reports emerged in Russia of disruptions in access to at least two important hormone medicines: injectable testosterone and fludrocortisone. According to published reports, testosterone ester mixtures have been virtually absent from pharmacies since December 2025, and the shortage is continuing at least until May 2026. In March, there were also reports of …
ARSI condemns the IOC’s policy requiring mandatory SRY gene screening for women’s sport as an unscientific, disproportionate, and discriminatory measure that undermines privacy, equality, and bodily autonomy. The policy relies on simplified genetic criteria that do not reliably establish competitive advantage while exposing athletes to exclusion, stigma, and disclosure of highly sensitive information. Sport must …
Since 1 March 2026, pursuant to Resolution No. 822 of the Government of the Russian Federation of 31 May 2025, the Russian healthcare system has been operating the Federal Register of Persons with Certain Diseases. The Federal Register includes detailed information on a newborn’s sex and information on the “detection in a child of congenital …
On 8 November, we celebrate the International Intersex Solidarity Day! One month ago, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted the historic Recommendation CM/Rec(2025)7 on equal rights for intersex people. This document is the first pan-European standard comprehensively addressing issues of bodily autonomy, integrity, equality, and protection of intersex people from discrimination. …
The UN Human Rights Council adopted a historic resolution A/HRC/55/L.9, entirely dedicated to the human rights of intersex people. This resolution is a critical step towards formal recognition of the existence of intersex people, reaffirming the commitment and obligation of states to respect and protect their human rights, as well as recognizing their violations, including …
On December 6, 2023, the Government of the Russian Federation adopted Resolution No. 2069 regulating the procedure for medical interventions on intersex children, as well as changes in the content of the “sex” column in documents. Ilia Savelev, co-director of the Association of Russian Speaking Intersex, has analyzed the decree and prepared a visual explanation …
ARSI’s co-directors Ilia Savelev and Ally Gray discussed the Federal Law of July 24, 2023, No. 386-FZ, “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation,” and its consequences for the intersex community in Russia. Ally: Why did the deputies include an exception for medical interventions on intersex individuals in this law? Ilia: There’s …
On May 30, 2023, a draft of federal law “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Acts of Civil Status” and the Federal Law “On the Basics of Protecting the Health of Citizens in the Russian Federation” No. 369814-8 was introduced to Russian Duma. The draft law prohibits medical interventions for gender reassignment, except for …
The Association of Russian-Speaking Intersex, with the support of the NFP+ and Intersex.Ru organizations, sent an opinion to the State Duma and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation on draft law No. 369814-8, which prohibits legal gender reassignment in documents and medical interventions to change sex characteristics, with the exception of intersex children. …
