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Greece bans sex ‘normalization’ surgeries for intersex children

Handful of other European countries have passed similar laws

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(Photo by polack/Bigstock)

Lawmakers in Greece on Tuesday voted to ban so-called sex “normalization” surgeries on intersex children.

Reuters reported the bill that Greek MPs approved will ban such procedures on children under 15 unless a court allows them.

Doctors who perform the surgeries would face fines and prison. The procedures will be allowed for teenagers over 15 if they consent to them.

Intersex Greece, an intersex advocacy group, in a press release notes 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.”

Two other intersex rights groups — Oii Europe and interACT — and OutRight Action International also supported the bill.

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European Union

Poland’s top court rejects recognition of same-sex marriages from other EU countries

Ruling sets up potential clash with bloc

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(Bigstock photo)

Poland’s top court this week rejected the recognition of same-sex marriages legally performed in other EU countries.

The EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg last November ruled in favor of a same-sex couple who challenged Poland’s refusal to recognize their German marriage. Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court in March reaffirmed the decision.

The couple, who lives in Poland, brought their case to Polish courts in 2019. The Supreme Administrative Court referred it to the EU Court of Justice.

The Polish government in May announced it will recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other EU countries. Polish President Karol Nawrocki on July 17 vetoed bills that would have extended rights to same-sex couples.

The Constitutional Tribunal ruling, which it issued on July 28, was unanimous and final. It also sets up a potential clash between it and the EU Court of Justice.

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Celebrity News

Madonna to perform at World Pride in Amsterdam

‘Confessions II’ album released earlier this month to rave reviews

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Madonna will perform at the World Pride Music Festival in Amsterdam on Aug. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of MISTR)

Editor’s note: International News Editor Michael K. Lavers and Photo Editor Michael Key will be on assignment in the Netherlands through Aug. 10. They will be covering World Pride in Amsterdam.

AMSTERDAM — Madonna on Saturday will perform at World Pride in Amsterdam.

She is scheduled to appear alongside Stuart Price, Honey Dijon, and other “special guests” at the World Pride Music Festival at AFAS Live concert hall. The Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade will take place earlier on Saturday.

MISTR, a telehealth platform that offers free access to PrEP, Doxy PEP, STI testing, and long-term HIV care, is organizing Madonna’s performance.

Madonna on July 2 released her new album, “Confessions II,” to rave reviews.

She appeared at The Abbey in West Hollywood, Calif., in April. Madonna in June celebrated Pride month with a pop-up performance in New York’s Times Square.

“Everyone here is a work of art,” says the World Pride Music Festival performance poster, referring to a line from “Danceteria” on “Confessions II.”

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Netherlands

Blade participates in Dutch university course on international LGBTQ rights law

Michael K. Lavers will be in the Netherlands through World Pride

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(Photo courtesy of Leiden University)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — International News Editor Michael K. Lavers is participating in a course at Leiden University in the Netherlands that examines the role that international law plays in the LGBTQ and intersex rights movement.

The course — Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in International Law — begins on Wednesday and ends on Aug. 4.

Jessica Stern, the former special U.S. envoy for the promotion of LGBTQ and intersex rights, is among the presenters. The course also includes a visit to the International Criminal Court.

Lavers will remain in the Netherlands through Aug. 10 to cover World Pride in Amsterdam. Photo Editor Michael Key will be joining him.

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