Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in front of the parliament constructing throughout a homosexual satisfaction 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 follow aimed toward suppressing a person's sexual orientation or gender id and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans group worldwide, as well as well being experts, have condemned as dangerous.

Below the bill, which Greece's parliament accredited, psychologists or other health professionals want a person's express consent to carry out such treatment and face fines and a prison time period in the event that they violate the law.

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

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"There were some false treatments that stated that when a minor has chosen a different sexual orientation, his dad and mom may supposedly proceed with 'treatments' for this youngster to 'return to normality'", Health Minister Thanos Plevris instructed parliament this week.

"Clearly these treatments not solely usually are not a remedy however they aren't supported scientifically," the minister mentioned.

The bill additionally bans advertising such practices.

Plevris added that Greece additionally plans to ban surgeries on intersex infants and babies born with atypical chromosomes that have an effect on their reproductive anatomy in a manner that does not match with the normative definition of male or feminine.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Modifying by Invoice Berkrot

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