Greece Bans "Sex-Normalizing" Surgeries On Intersex Babies

Lawmakers in Greece voted to ban so-called sex “normalization” surgeries on intersex children. Reuters report that the bill that Greek MPs approved will ban such procedures on children under 15, unless a court allows them.

According to Washington Blade, doctors who perform surgery on intersex children would face fines and prison sentences. The procedures will be allowed for teenagers over 15 if they consent.

Intersex Greece, an advocacy group, says that Greece joins Germany, Iceland, Malta, and Portugal that have enacted such legislation.

“As of today, July 19, 2022, surgical and other medical interventions, which until now have been carried out on intersex infants and children, secretly and without consent, to ‘conform’ their sex characteristics with the ‘typical’ male or female anatomy have been legally banned in Greece,” said Intersex Greece in a press release. “Today is, therefore, historic for the protection and recognition of the human rights of intersex people, in Greece, in Europe and in the world.”

Other intersex rights groups, including Oii Europe, interACT, and OutRight Action International also supported the bill.

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