Greece bans LGBTQ conversion remedy

A huge rainbow flag is seen in entrance of the parliament building during a gay pleasure parade in Athens, Greece June 10, 2017. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

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ATHENS, Might 10 (Reuters) - Greece on Wednesday banned conversion remedy for minors, a practice aimed at suppressing a person's sexual orientation or gender id and which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community worldwide, as well as well being consultants, have condemned as dangerous.

Beneath the invoice, which Greece's parliament permitted, psychologists or other well being professionals need a person's explicit consent to perform such remedy and face fines and a jail term in the event that they violate the regulation.

The federal government has drafted a nationwide technique that runs till 2025 on reforms selling gender equality in Greece, a largely conservative nation. Canada, New Zealand and France criminalized conversion therapy earlier this year.

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

"Clearly these therapies not only should not a therapy but they are not supported scientifically," the minister said.

The bill also bans promoting such practices.

Plevris added that Greece also plans to ban surgeries on intersex infants and babies 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 Enhancing by Bill Berkrot

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