Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

An enormous rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament constructing throughout a gay pleasure parade in Athens, Greece June 10, 2017. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

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ATHENS, May 10 (Reuters) - Greece on Wednesday banned conversion therapy for minors, a observe aimed at suppressing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity and which the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and trans community worldwide, as well as well being consultants, have condemned as harmful.

Under the invoice, which Greece's parliament permitted, psychologists or different health professionals want an individual's express consent to perform such therapy and face fines and a jail term in the event that they violate the legislation.

The government has drafted a national strategy that runs until 2025 on reforms selling gender equality in Greece, a largely conservative nation. Canada, New Zealand and France criminalized conversion remedy earlier this year.

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"There were some false treatments that stated that when a minor has chosen a unique sexual orientation, his mother and father might supposedly proceed with 'remedies' for this baby to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris informed parliament this week.

"Clearly these treatments not only usually are not a therapy but they don't seem to be supported scientifically," the minister mentioned.

The invoice 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 affect their reproductive anatomy in a approach that doesn't match with the normative definition of male or female.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Modifying by Invoice Berkrot

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