"... by some equally strange logic, if a plebiscite is to go ahead, it will cause homosexual youth to suicide. This will come about it seems, because young homosexuals will be faced with the reality that homosexuality is not universally accepted as normal."

That's what the disingenuous SSM lobby is telling us.

But, wait a minute! How many homosexual youth suicided as a result of holding the same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland? None to my knowledge. Was this because Irish homosexual youth, unlike their Australian counterparts, are not suicidal?

rob1966: It takes a particularly callous individual to trivialise and dismiss the mental health welfare of LGBTI citizens,

Yet the LGBTI say being Gay is natural & it's not a mental health issue.

rob1966: But then the author of this piece has little regard for anything but his mission to ensure LGBTI people are marginalised, demonised and discriminated against.

The LGBTI do this themselves then blame the straight Community.

I believe that suicide is natural. It is Natures way of eliminating defective Genes from the Gene Pool for what ever reason. The only people it hurts are the family & friends of the person who committed the suicide. The person who committed the suicide had no regard for their friends or family.

People with serious Mental Health issues are a financial Burden on Society.

"oh dear what are you saying that there is an exceptable level of suicide
Posted by Cobber the hound, Monday, 5 September 2016 10:28:04 AM"

That'd be about right.

Thank you for your article David.

Given the level of intellect represented in some of the comments aimed at me I have to admit that I am impressed those particular individuals are actually capable of typing something into a computer - indeed, even being able to turn it on must be a challenge!

Not surprisingly, the wilful ignorance of research into self-harm and suicide is proudly displayed, along with deliberate misinterpretation of the plebiscite and how it will impact the mental health of many vulnerable peoples, and the conflation of unrelated topics in an attempt to create a strawman.

This ignorance, and childish (albeit outright) hostility and demeaning attitude towards LGBTI people is typical of those who oppose equality - and is an example of the "respectful" debate we can expect from the small minded followers of van Gend and his fellow fundamentalist Christian ideologues.

As some have demonstrated here, the welfare of LGBTI people is inconsequential to their desire to oppose equality - and if a few people self-harm or suicide because of their vitriolic and demeaning attacks from behind the safety of an anonymous keyboard then "so be it".

But unlike you, and van Gend, I can refer to qualified, medical practioners and professional bodies to substantiate that this article is blatant misinformation, and a demonstration by van Gend of the wilful ignorance of actual professional standards and position on suicide and self-harm.

I know actual science may be difficult for some here to comprehend so I'll summarise - van Gend is talking BS:

https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/content/suicide-and-self-harm-among-gay-lesbian-bisexual-and-transgender-communities

rob1966:

If people commit suicide then surely that is their right to do so. Who are you to say that suicide is not a reasonable response to the reality that they perceive? No one can stop anyone from committing suicide if that is what they truly want and you are deluded if you think that you can stop someone who is determined to kill themselves.

You want the debate about SSM to be nice and pleasant so as not to cause suicides but that is just your way of trying to manipulate how the debate is conducted so that it does not make you feel uncomfortable. This is not a plea for vulnerable people but a plea for yourself and others who do not like hearing any criticism about their homosexuality or SSM. It is using young people as a shield to make opponents of SSM much more careful than they need to be. It is disgusting that you should use youth suicides in this way and shows how desperate you truly are to avoid any negative attitudes.

If you are serious about the damage such a debate may do then don't debate. It takes two sides to make a debate and if you do not partake then none of the supposed damage will occur. Opponents of SSM will have nothing to say because no one will be listening. If the polls are correct then there is no need to debate since it is already a done deal. The mere fact that you are on this forum participating in the debate means that you are contributing to the harm that you maintain will be a result of such debating and you have probably already been a contributor to any suicides that have happened.