Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in front of the parliament building throughout a gay 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 observe aimed at suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identification and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans group worldwide, in addition to health specialists, have condemned as dangerous.

Under the invoice, which Greece's parliament approved, psychologists or different well being professionals want an individual's explicit consent to carry out such treatment and face fines and a prison term in the event that they violate the legislation.

The government has drafted a nationwide strategy that runs till 2025 on reforms selling 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 have been some false therapies that said that when a minor has chosen a distinct sexual orientation, his parents might supposedly proceed with 'treatments' for this little one to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris informed parliament this week.

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

The bill also bans advertising such practices.

Plevris added that Greece additionally plans to ban surgical procedures on intersex infants and babies born with atypical chromosomes that affect their reproductive anatomy in a manner that does not fit with the normative definition of male or feminine.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Editing by Invoice Berkrot

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