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 therapy for minors, a practice aimed at suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender id and which the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and trans neighborhood worldwide, in addition to health experts, have condemned as dangerous.

Below the bill, which Greece's parliament accepted, psychologists or different well being professionals need an individual's express consent to carry out such remedy and face fines and a prison term in the event that they violate the legislation.

The federal government has drafted a national strategy that runs until 2025 on reforms promoting gender equality in Greece, a largely conservative country. Canada, New Zealand and France criminalized conversion therapy earlier this yr.

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"There have been some false remedies that stated that when a minor has chosen a distinct sexual orientation, his dad and mom may supposedly proceed with 'therapies' for this little one to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris instructed parliament this week.

"Clearly these therapies not only are usually not a remedy but they aren't supported scientifically," the minister mentioned.

The bill additionally bans advertising such practices.

Plevris added that Greece also plans to ban surgeries on intersex infants and infants born with atypical chromosomes that affect their reproductive anatomy in a way that does not match with the normative definition of male or feminine.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Modifying by Invoice Berkrot

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