Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament constructing during a gay delight 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 follow aimed toward suppressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity and which the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and trans neighborhood worldwide, as well as well being specialists, have condemned as harmful.

Underneath the invoice, which Greece's parliament permitted, psychologists or different well being professionals want an individual's explicit consent to perform such remedy and face fines and a jail term in the event that they violate the law.

The government has drafted a national strategy that runs till 2025 on reforms selling 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 stated that when a minor has chosen a special sexual orientation, his parents could supposedly proceed with 'remedies' for this child to 'return to normality'", Health Minister Thanos Plevris instructed parliament this week.

"Clearly these treatments not solely are usually not a therapy but they aren't supported scientifically," the minister stated.

The bill also bans promoting such practices.

Plevris added that Greece also plans to ban surgical procedures on intersex infants and babies born with atypical chromosomes that have an effect on their reproductive anatomy in a way that does not match with the normative definition of male or female.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Enhancing by Invoice Berkrot

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