Malta bans gay conversion therapy, a first for Europe
VALLETTA, Malta — Malta has become the first European country to ban gay conversion therapy, imposing fines of up to 10,000 euros ($10,750) and a jail term of up to one year for offenders.
The Maltese Parliament approved a law Wednesday that effectively outlaws any attempts to “cure” gay people of their sexual orientations.
The law stipulates that “no sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression constitutes a disorder, disease or shortcoming of any sort.”
It also lowers to 16 the age at which minors can request a gender change without their parents’ approval.