Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in front of the parliament building during a gay 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 apply aimed at suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans group worldwide, in addition to well being specialists, have condemned as harmful.

Under the bill, which Greece's parliament approved, psychologists or different health professionals want a person's specific consent to carry out such treatment and face fines and a jail term in the event that they violate the regulation.

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

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"There were some false remedies that acknowledged that when a minor has chosen a unique sexual orientation, his dad and mom may supposedly proceed with 'therapies' for this youngster to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris informed parliament this week.

"Clearly these remedies not solely are usually not a therapy however they don't seem to be supported scientifically," the minister mentioned.

The bill additionally bans promoting such practices.

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

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Enhancing by Invoice Berkrot

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