Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament constructing throughout 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 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 consultants, have condemned as harmful.

Under the bill, which Greece's parliament accredited, psychologists or other well being professionals want an individual's express consent to perform such remedy and face fines and a jail term in the event that they violate the law.

The government has drafted a nationwide technique that runs till 2025 on reforms selling 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 said that when a minor has chosen a distinct sexual orientation, his parents might supposedly proceed with 'therapies' for this little one to 'return to normality'", Health Minister Thanos Plevris advised parliament this week.

"Obviously these treatments not solely should not a remedy however they don't seem to be supported scientifically," the minister mentioned.

The bill additionally bans advertising such practices.

Plevris added that Greece also plans to ban surgical procedures on intersex infants and infants born with atypical chromosomes that have an effect on their reproductive anatomy in a way that doesn't match with the normative definition of male or feminine.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Enhancing by Bill Berkrot

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