Two in five wouldn’t want a gay mate.

National mental health organisation beyondblue have launched a new campaign in response to a study showing teenage boys in Australia are more homophobic than the general population.

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More than 300 14-17 year old boys were surveyed about their attitudes towards same-sex attracted people.

A quarter of boys said terms like "homo" and "dyke" are "not really that bad", and just under a quarter think it's okay to use the phrase "That's so gay" about things they dislike.

More than half of all respondents had seen people bullied for their sexuality first hand, and 40% felt uncomfortable or anxious around same-sex attracted people.

The beyondblue campaign compares lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people with left-handed people in a bid to make people think about the absurdity of discrimination.

beyondblueofficial / Via youtube.com

"It wasn't long ago that left-handed people were routinely discriminated against, told there was something wrong with them and forced to write with their right-hand," said beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman.

"Thankfully that no longer happens. Sadly, the same can't be said for the discrimination faced by LGBTI people, who are still made to feel like crap just for being themselves."

Harman said young LGBTI people are three to six times more likely to be distressed than their peers, which links strongly to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and suicide.

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