Civil marriage rights ‘will reduce self-harm in gay youths’

Extending civil marriage rights to same sex couples will reduce levels of self-harming among gay youngsters, the Dáil heard. 

As TDs backed the marriage equality referendum set for May, Fine Gael deputy Dan Neville said the move would end the “stigmatisation” of gay people.

Mr Neville, who campaigns on mental health issues, said that gay people were seven times more likely to attempt suicide and ten times more likely to self harm than heterosexuals.