Russia nixes adoptions by foreign same-sex couples

MOSCOW, June 1 (UPI) -- A senior Kremlin official said Saturday Russia will not allow homosexual couples from other countries to adopt Russian orphans.

Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets told the ITAR-Tass news agency allowing same-sex couples to adopt Russian children is "beyond the norms and traditions of the Russian people."

"Adoption of Russian children to a homosexual family is unacceptable absolutely," Golodets said.

ITAR-Tass said Golodets did not address the future of Russia's current treaty with France on adoptions, following France's recent recognition of same-sex marriages.

She said she expected diplomats would take up the impact of the French legislation on the treaty.