An Australian group opposing same-sex marriage has been criticised by mental health bodies after posting an image to Twitter showing a distressed women with a rainbow noose around her neck.
The tweet, posted by Marriage Alliance, claims marriage reform would lead to people who oppose same-sex marriage being bullied in the workplace and that it would affect job security.
Mental health charity BeyondBlue responded to the tweet, suggesting the image contributed to stigma around suicide.
@MarriageAll We're advocating strongly in this space to reduce stigma & harmful messages around suicide like this. https://t.co/yhdmQzLdIo
Suicide Prevention Australia also criticised the tweet.
@richardthewatts @MarriageAll evidence says depicting method harmful, suggest image also deflects real debate @SANEAustralia #stigmawatch
In response, Marriage Alliance accused both organisations of taking a biased stance on same-sex marriage.
@beyondblue a biased position in the same sex marriage debate deflects from core mission. A neutral stance is always best governance.
Twitter users were less than impressed with the provocative image.
@MarriageAll halfway thru photoshopping a noose onto a stock photo of a tired lady you MUST've thought wtf am I doin
.@MarriageAll that moment when you finally jumped the shark? Yeah this would be it.
@MarriageAll And the problem is?
@MarriageAll [citation needed]
Labor MP Tim Watts took aim at the tweet, describing it as "crap" in a speech to parliament.
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"While Marriage Alliance claims to speak for mainstream Australia and the silent majority, it will not disclose who funds it or who is a member of it," Watts told the parliament.
While outspoken on social media, Marriage Alliance is notoriously media-shy when it comes to interviews, having refused to comment to several publications in recent months.
Watts went on to criticise the government policy of having a plebiscite on same-sex marriage, saying the photoshopped noose image was an example of a taxpayer-funded campaign against marriage reform.
"[Prime minister] Malcolm Turnbull will be writing cheques to the types of groups who photoshop rainbow nooses over stock photos," Watts said.
If you need to talk to someone, you can call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue Australia on 1300 22 4636, Anxiety UK on 08444 775 774, or Hopeline America on 1-800-784-2433.