Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament building during a gay satisfaction 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 apply aimed at suppressing a person's sexual orientation or gender id and which the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and trans community worldwide, as well as well being experts, have condemned as dangerous.

Beneath the bill, which Greece's parliament authorized, psychologists or different well being professionals need a person's express consent to carry out such remedy and face fines and a jail term in the event that they violate the regulation.

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 12 months.

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"There were some false treatments that said that when a minor has chosen a distinct sexual orientation, his parents may supposedly proceed with 'treatments' for this child to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris advised parliament this week.

"Obviously these remedies not only aren't a therapy however they are not supported scientifically," the minister said.

The bill also 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 means that does not fit with the normative definition of male or female.

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Reporting by Renee Maltezou Enhancing by Invoice Berkrot

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