Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in front of the parliament building throughout a homosexual delight parade in Athens, Greece June 10, 2017. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

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ATHENS, May 10 (Reuters) - Greece on Wednesday banned conversion remedy for minors, a follow geared toward suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identification and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans group worldwide, as well as well being consultants, have condemned as harmful.

Under the invoice, which Greece's parliament approved, psychologists or different well being professionals want a person's express consent to perform such remedy and face fines and a prison time period if they violate the legislation.

The government has drafted a nationwide 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 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 'treatments' for this baby to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris instructed parliament this week.

"Obviously these therapies not solely aren't a remedy but they don't seem to be supported scientifically," the minister said.

The bill also bans advertising such practices.

Plevris added that Greece additionally plans to ban surgical procedures on intersex infants and infants 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 female.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Modifying by Invoice Berkrot

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