Greece bans LGBTQ conversion therapy

An enormous rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament constructing during a homosexual pleasure parade in Athens, Greece June 10, 2017. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

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

Underneath the bill, which Greece's parliament authorized, psychologists or other health professionals want an individual's express consent to carry out such treatment and face fines and a prison term if they violate the regulation.

The government has drafted a national technique that runs till 2025 on reforms promoting gender equality in Greece, a largely conservative country. Canada, New Zealand and France criminalized conversion remedy earlier this year.

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"There were some false remedies that acknowledged that when a minor has chosen a unique sexual orientation, his mother and father might supposedly proceed with 'treatments' for this child to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris instructed parliament this week.

"Clearly these remedies not solely will not be a therapy but they are not supported scientifically," the minister mentioned.

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 have an effect on their reproductive anatomy in a approach that does not fit with the normative definition of male or feminine.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Modifying by Bill Berkrot

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