Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

An enormous rainbow flag is seen in entrance 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 remedy for minors, a observe aimed toward suppressing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans neighborhood worldwide, in addition to well being experts, have condemned as harmful.

Below the invoice, which Greece's parliament accredited, psychologists or other health professionals need a person's explicit consent to carry out such therapy and face fines and a prison term in the event that they violate the law.

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

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"There were some false treatments that said that when a minor has chosen a distinct sexual orientation, his parents might supposedly proceed with 'treatments' for this child to 'return to normality'", Health Minister Thanos Plevris advised parliament this week.

"Obviously these treatments not only are usually not a therapy but they aren't supported scientifically," the minister said.

The invoice additionally bans promoting 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 method that does not match with the normative definition of male or female.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Modifying by Bill Berkrot

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