Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament constructing throughout a homosexual pride 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 observe aimed at suppressing a person's sexual orientation or gender id and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans neighborhood worldwide, in addition to well being specialists, have condemned as harmful.

Under the invoice, which Greece's parliament authorized, psychologists or different health professionals want a person's specific consent to perform such remedy and face fines and a prison term in the event that they violate the regulation.

The government has drafted a national technique that runs until 2025 on reforms selling 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 remedies that stated that when a minor has chosen a distinct sexual orientation, his dad and mom could supposedly proceed with 'treatments' for this little one to 'return to normality'", Health Minister Thanos Plevris informed parliament this week.

"Clearly these remedies not solely should not a therapy but they are not supported scientifically," the minister mentioned.

The bill also 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 approach that doesn't fit with the normative definition of male or feminine.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Editing by Bill Berkrot

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