Russian Court Denies Transgender Inmate's Request for Gender-Affirming Care

The Soviet District Court of Vladivostok has rejected a lawsuit filed by a convicted inmate. The plaintiff had challenged the refusal of the Federal Penal Correction Institution Medical Unit No. 25 to provide gender-affirming medical care. The court declined to hear the case on legal grounds. The inmate sought recognition of their right to undergo hormonal and surgical feminisation procedures. They also requested access to paid gender-affirming medical interventions. The court, however, refused to consider the claim due to insufficient legal basis for an exception.

In its ruling, the court referenced Article 45.1 of Federal Law No. 323-FZ, dated 21 November 2011. This law bans medical interventions for gender transition in Russia. Exceptions are permitted only in cases of congenital developmental anomalies, genetic disorders, or endocrine diseases affecting sexual organ formation. Even then, such interventions require approval from a medical board at the relevant healthcare institution. The court’s decision means the plaintiff’s request for gender-affirming care remains unrecognised. The ruling reinforces the existing legal restrictions on such medical procedures in Russia. No further legal avenues were provided in the court’s response.