Greece bans LGBTQ conversion therapy

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

Register

ATHENS, Might 10 (Reuters) - Greece on Wednesday banned conversion remedy for minors, a practice aimed at suppressing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity and which the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and trans community worldwide, in addition to health specialists, have condemned as harmful.

Below the invoice, which Greece's parliament accredited, psychologists or different well being professionals need a person's explicit consent to carry out such therapy and face fines and a prison term if they violate the legislation.

The government has drafted a national technique that runs until 2025 on reforms promoting gender equality in Greece, a largely conservative country. Canada, New Zealand and France criminalized conversion remedy earlier this yr.

Register

"There have been some false therapies that stated that when a minor has chosen a distinct sexual orientation, his dad and mom might supposedly proceed with 'treatments' for this baby to 'return to normality'", Well being Minister Thanos Plevris instructed parliament this week.

"Obviously these remedies not only aren't a remedy but they don't seem to be supported scientifically," the minister stated.

The bill additionally bans advertising such practices.

Plevris added that Greece also 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 match with the normative definition of male or feminine.

Register

Reporting by Renee Maltezou Editing by Invoice Berkrot

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Principles.