Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

A huge 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, Could 10 (Reuters) - Greece on Wednesday banned conversion remedy for minors, a practice aimed at suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community worldwide, in addition to well being experts, have condemned as harmful.

Underneath the invoice, which Greece's parliament accredited, psychologists or different well being professionals need a person's specific consent to perform such therapy and face fines and a prison term if they violate the law.

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

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"There have been some false treatments that stated that when a minor has chosen a unique sexual orientation, his mother and father could supposedly proceed with 'remedies' for this little one to 'return to normality'", Health Minister Thanos Plevris told parliament this week.

"Obviously these therapies not solely aren't a therapy however they aren't supported scientifically," the minister mentioned.

The invoice also bans promoting such practices.

Plevris added that Greece also plans to ban surgeries on intersex infants and babies 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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