Draft clinical recommendations on “Gender Identity Disorders” have been prepared by the Russian Society of Psychiatrists (RSP). The report, which was released in December 2023, was made public by the Russian news agency Kommersant. These recommendations are not yet included on the list of those that the Russian Health Ministry has deemed appropriate.
The RSP stated in the draft document that it is impossible to “cure” a transgender person so that they no longer feel the need to transition, nor is it possible to stop the “development of this condition.” This means, in the opinion of the psychologists, that transgender people are only given the option of receiving treatment through counseling.
According to the RSP, the objectives of psychotherapy are to “develop a dynamic cognitive model” and possibly “attempt to reconcile with one’s assigned gender.” Among the methods are acceptance and commitment therapy, as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
According to the report, there are two groups of people who can legally receive help:
- Those with congenital, biological, or endocrine disorders that prevented the development of sexual organs (in this case, surgical procedures and prescription drugs are permitted).
- Those who have undergone gender-affirming surgery prior to July 24, 2023, may be eligible for hormone replacement therapy, according to a physician commission’s recommendation.
Russia changed a number of federal laws in July 2023 to restrict the rights of trans people. Medical procedures that might be necessary during the transition period are now forbidden. Additionally, it is now against the law for trans people to change their gender marker in their documents. There are now many restrictions on those who were able to change their records.
The new law in Russia that forbids gender changes has made life difficult for some trans people, but emigration is not simple. “A feeling of embers all around me.”
