Greece bans LGBTQ conversion therapy

An enormous rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament constructing during a homosexual pride parade in Athens, Greece June 10, 2017. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

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ATHENS, Might 10 (Reuters) - Greece on Wednesday banned conversion remedy for minors, a apply aimed at suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender id and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans group worldwide, in addition to health experts, have condemned as harmful.

Underneath the bill, which Greece's parliament accepted, psychologists or other health professionals want a person's express consent to perform such remedy and face fines and a prison term in the event that they violate the legislation.

The federal government has drafted a national technique that runs till 2025 on reforms selling gender equality in Greece, a largely conservative nation. Canada, New Zealand and France criminalized conversion remedy earlier this yr.

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"There were some false remedies that stated that when a minor has chosen a different sexual orientation, his mother and father may supposedly proceed with 'treatments' for this youngster to 'return to normality'", Health Minister Thanos Plevris instructed parliament this week.

"Clearly these remedies not solely aren't a therapy but they aren't supported scientifically," the minister mentioned.

The invoice also bans advertising such practices.

Plevris added that Greece additionally plans to ban surgical procedures on intersex infants and babies born with atypical chromosomes that have an effect on their reproductive anatomy in a approach that does not fit with the normative definition of male or feminine.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Enhancing by Invoice Berkrot

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