Russia Enacts Ban on Foreign Same-Sex Couples Adopting Russian Children

Singles from countries were same-sex marriage is legal also banned

(CNN) -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree banning foreign same-sex couples -- as well as singles from countries where same-sex marriages are legal -- from adopting Russian children.

Though there was no official ban until now, foreigners' attempts to adopt Russian children before the decree generally would be unsuccessful if a prospective adoptive parent was thought to be gay, international adoption agencies based in Russia have said. Same-sex marriage is illegal in Russia.

The decree was signed Monday and published on a government website Thursday. The decree went into effect Wednesday, state-funded television network Russia Today reported, but CNN couldn't immediately confirm that.