The Russian President, speaking in Sochi, said it is 'close to a crime against humanity' for young boys and girls to learn about becoming transgender.
The Kremlin leader said: 'It is terrible when children in the West are taught the idea that a boy can become a girl.'
Putin has regularly faced criticism for his crackdown on the LGBT community in Russia where same-sex marriage and 'gay propaganda' is banned.
The president also claimed there is a risk of ruining the lives of a generation of children.
He said: '(It is a) simply monstrous moment when children are pushed to believe from early on that a boy can easily become a girl, and vice versa.
'They are pushed to believe they have a choice, imposed while parents are swept aside.
'And a child is forced to make a decision that can break their life.'
He complained that 'no-one even consults child psychologists on whether a child of a certain age is able to make these kind of decisions.
'Calling a spade a spade, this is close to a crime against humanity dressed up in the name and under the flag of progress.'
(...) Daily Mail
