Greece bans LGBTQ conversion therapy

An enormous rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament building during a homosexual pleasure 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 apply aimed at suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender id and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans neighborhood worldwide, as well as health consultants, have condemned as dangerous.

Beneath the invoice, which Greece's parliament permitted, psychologists or other health professionals want a person's specific consent to perform such treatment and face fines and a prison term if they violate the legislation.

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

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"There have been some false remedies that said that when a minor has chosen a distinct sexual orientation, his mother and father may supposedly proceed with 'remedies' for this child to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris informed parliament this week.

"Clearly these remedies not only should not a remedy but they are not supported scientifically," the minister stated.

The bill also bans advertising such practices.

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

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Modifying by Bill Berkrot

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