Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

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

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ATHENS, May 10 (Reuters) - Greece on Wednesday banned conversion therapy for minors, a observe aimed toward suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identification and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans neighborhood worldwide, in addition to health specialists, have condemned as dangerous.

Underneath the bill, which Greece's parliament accepted, psychologists or other well being professionals need an individual's express consent to carry out such treatment and face fines and a prison term if they violate the legislation.

The federal government has drafted a national strategy that runs till 2025 on reforms promoting gender equality in Greece, a largely conservative nation. 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 special sexual orientation, his dad and mom may supposedly proceed with 'treatments' for this youngster to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris informed parliament this week.

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

The bill additionally bans promoting such practices.

Plevris added that Greece additionally plans to ban surgeries on intersex infants and infants born with atypical chromosomes that affect their reproductive anatomy in a method that doesn't fit with the normative definition of male or female.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Enhancing by Invoice Berkrot

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