Greece bans LGBTQ conversion therapy

An enormous rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament constructing throughout a homosexual delight 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 geared toward suppressing a person's sexual orientation or gender identification and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community worldwide, in addition to well being consultants, have condemned as dangerous.

Beneath the bill, which Greece's parliament approved, psychologists or different well being professionals want an individual's express consent to perform such therapy and face fines and a jail term if they violate the law.

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

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

"Clearly these therapies not only aren't a remedy but they aren't supported scientifically," the minister stated.

The invoice also bans advertising such practices.

Plevris added that Greece also plans to ban surgical procedures on intersex infants and babies born with atypical chromosomes that affect their reproductive anatomy in a means that doesn't fit with the normative definition of male or female.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Enhancing by Bill Berkrot

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