今日吃瓜

The Tasmanian Greens have vowed to push for a suicide prevention and awareness campaign for LGBTI Tasmanians today.

The announcement comes as the Tasmanian Parliament is due to vote on a motion calling for same-sex marriage rights in Australia.

Greens MP Paul O鈥橦alloran said the proposal is in line with a recommendation from the recent Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee Inquiry into suicide which found high risk groups, such as LGBTI people, should be directly targeted.

鈥淭he Greens welcome the current debate over gay rights in Tasmania, and I think that it鈥檚 now time to also begin thinking about the negative social impacts of discrimination,鈥� O鈥橦alloran.

鈥淭here is a clear need for a more compassionate and effective mental health service that understands the specific needs of the LGBTI community.

鈥淪ocial stigma and discrimination because of sexuality is a major contributor to the high incidence of mental health among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.鈥�

The Tasmanian parliament is expected to make history today when it becomes the first state Government to back marriage equality in Australia.

Tasmanian Greens leader Nick McKim introduced a notice of motion to the House of Assembly yesterday expressing in-principle support for marriage equality. The motion also called for the federal Parliament to reform the Marriage Act.

The motion is expected to pass with Tasmanian Labor Premier Lara Giddings already indicating her party鈥檚 support and the Liberal Party allowing a conscience vote.

the debate unfold online from noon and a vote expected at 2.50pm.