Same-sex marriage advocates warned the 2017 postal survey on marriage equality would damage mental health, and research being published today has confirmed their fears were valid.

It found the more same-sex-attracted people were exposed to messages of prejudice and discrimination, the more they felt depressed and anxious. The 2017 postal survey asked a question that mattered deeply to same-sex-attracted Australians: whether Australian law should be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry.

In arguing for the plebiscite, the government said it could be unifying for the country. Senator Penny Wong told Parliament how the same-sex-marriage debate was exposing families to hatred.

"Have a read of some of the things which are said about us and our families, and then come back here and tell us this is a unifying moment," she said. "The Australian Christian Lobby described our children as the 'Stolen Generation'. We love our children, and I object, as do all those same-sex couples who have kids, to be told our children are a stolen generation."

Marriage-equality advocates had opposed a plebiscite, worried about the effect of certain views on the LGBTI community. Among them was LGBTI activist Sally Rugg.

"The LGBTI community and our friends begged the government to not put us through this process, because we knew that people would be traumatised," she said. Read more via ABC

Minority stress, social support, and the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual Australians during the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey

Verrelli, Stefano, et al. "Minority stress, social support, and the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual Australians during the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey." Australian Psychologist (2019).

Abstract

Objective

The current study examined the relationship between minority stress, social support, and the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) Australians during the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.

Method

A sample of 1,305 Australian LGB adults completed an online survey that measured their frequency of exposure to negative and positive media messages about same‐sex marriage, perceived personal support, and psychological distress during the postal survey.

Results

More frequent exposure to negative media messages about same‐sex marriage was associated with greater psychological distress. This association, however, was significantly weaker amongst participants who perceived greater personal support for same‐sex marriage from their immediate social network. Alternatively, exposure to positive messages of public support via public and social media was not associated with psychological distress, and did not moderate the association between negative media message exposure and psychological distress. Nonetheless, more frequent exposure to public support was more strongly associated with reduced psychological distress amongst participants who perceived their immediate social network to be less supportive of same‐sex marriage.

Conclusions

The findings highlight how legislative processes related to the rights of stigmatised, minority populations have the potential to adversely affect their mental health. The findings also highlight the role of personal and public support as protective factors against minority stress. Within the limits of a cross‐sectional study design, these findings have implications for public policy and legislative decision‐making, treating clinicians of LGB clients, and LGB rights and mental health organisations.