Greece bans LGBTQ conversion therapy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament building during a gay satisfaction parade in Athens, Greece June 10, 2017. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

Register

ATHENS, Might 10 (Reuters) - Greece on Wednesday banned conversion therapy for minors, a observe aimed toward suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity and which the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and trans group worldwide, in addition to well being specialists, have condemned as dangerous.

Underneath the bill, which Greece's parliament authorized, psychologists or different well being professionals want a person's specific consent to perform such remedy and face fines and a prison time period if they violate the legislation.

The federal government has drafted a nationwide strategy 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.

Register

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

"Obviously these remedies not solely are not a remedy however they aren't supported scientifically," the minister mentioned.

The invoice also bans promoting such practices.

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

Register

Reporting by Renee Maltezou Enhancing by Invoice Berkrot

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.