Last month Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed the “On Road Safety” bill which excludes the entire population of individuals who have a personality or behavioral disorder listed on The World Health Organization’s list of behavior and personality disorder from driving.

The passing of this bill has begun to stir up tension in Russia, primarily amongst members of the LGBT communities; the World Health Organization’s list of behavior and personality disorders includes individuals who have gender identity disorders such as transsexualism and dual-role transvestism. Therefore, transexual individuals and transvestites can not drive in Russia.

Other categories of sexual disorders that prevent an ability to drive in Russia are pedophilia and being a peeping tom.

Due to the passing of this bill, humans rights activists have began to speak out–expressing how they believe the passage of the “On Road Safety” bill is just another ploy by the Russian government to suppress the LGBT community and limit overall human rights in the country.

Various individuals in the Human Rights First, and Association of Russian Lawyers for Human Rights have spoke out on the issue:

Last thursday Shawn Gaylor, an advocacy counsel for Humans Rights First, said this,“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.”

Human rights attorney, Maria Bast, told Radio Free Europe, “People who fall in those classifications are legally capable. It doesn’t impact their driving in any way.”

Despite all of the outrage and opposition to the bill, Russia’s Professional Drivers Union firmly believes the bill is necessary due to the high rates of motor vehicle and traffic accidents.

Alexander Kotov, the head of the Professional Drivers Union, spoke in defense of the bill to BBC, stating,“We have too many deaths on the road and I believe toughening medical requirements for applicants is fully justified.”

As of this moment tensions are still high, and the bill is to remain.