Greece bans LGBTQ conversion therapy

An enormous 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, Might 10 (Reuters) - Greece on Wednesday banned conversion remedy for minors, a follow geared toward suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender id and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans neighborhood worldwide, as well as health consultants, have condemned as harmful.

Under the bill, which Greece's parliament approved, psychologists or different health professionals need a person's express consent to perform such treatment and face fines and a jail time period if they violate the regulation.

The government has drafted a national strategy that runs until 2025 on reforms promoting gender equality in Greece, a largely conservative nation. Canada, New Zealand and France criminalized conversion therapy earlier this 12 months.

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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 'remedies' for this youngster to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris informed parliament this week.

"Obviously these treatments not only should not a remedy however they are not supported scientifically," the minister said.

The bill also bans advertising such practices.

Plevris added that Greece additionally plans to ban surgeries on intersex infants and infants born with atypical chromosomes that affect their reproductive anatomy in a means 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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