Greece bans LGBTQ conversion therapy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament constructing throughout a homosexual pleasure parade in Athens, Greece June 10, 2017. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

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ATHENS, Could 10 (Reuters) - Greece on Wednesday banned conversion remedy for minors, a apply geared toward suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender id and which the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and trans community worldwide, in addition to health experts, have condemned as dangerous.

Below the bill, which Greece's parliament authorized, psychologists or different well being professionals want an individual's explicit consent to carry out such therapy and face fines and a prison term in the event that they violate the law.

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

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"There have been some false treatments that stated that when a minor has chosen a different sexual orientation, his dad and mom might supposedly proceed with 'therapies' for this youngster to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris advised parliament this week.

"Obviously these treatments not only will not be a remedy however they don't seem to be supported scientifically," the minister mentioned.

The invoice additionally bans advertising such practices.

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

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Enhancing by Invoice Berkrot

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