Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in front of the parliament constructing throughout a homosexual satisfaction 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 a person's sexual orientation or gender identity and which the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and trans neighborhood worldwide, in addition to health specialists, have condemned as dangerous.

Underneath the invoice, which Greece's parliament authorized, psychologists or other health professionals want an individual's specific consent to carry out such remedy and face fines and a jail term in the event that they violate the law.

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

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"There were some false therapies that acknowledged that when a minor has chosen a special sexual orientation, his parents may supposedly proceed with 'therapies' for this child to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris advised parliament this week.

"Obviously these treatments not solely aren't a remedy however they aren't supported scientifically," the minister said.

The bill also bans advertising such practices.

Plevris added that Greece also plans to ban surgeries on intersex infants and babies born with atypical chromosomes that affect their reproductive anatomy in a way that does not match with the normative definition of male or female.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Enhancing by Bill Berkrot

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