Magda Szubanski: 'I had suicidal thoughts when I realised I was gay'

Magda Szubanski has admitted that she had suicidal thoughts after realising she was gay as a teenager.

The Australian comedienne - who came out as a lesbian on television earlier this week in order to lend support to campaigns for same-sex marriage - said that she is horrified at claims that sexuality is a choice.

Szubanski told 3AW radio: "All this notion of choice, the notion you can terrorise or frighten - they used to give people electric shock therapy. I think all you can do is respect what people are and [show] the most compassion and empathy that you can bring to the situation, trying to foster in people who they really are and help them be their best self."

When asked if she felt suicidal when she first realised that she was gay, the star said: "Oh yes, yeah, absolutely. Oh my god, I know how those kids [who struggle with their sexuality] feel. Believe me."

Szubanski added: "People will say, 'Why did I take a while to [come out]?' I needed to be as solid as I could be, so I could do this in the strongest possible way and be really clear about myself.

"I didn't want to come out and botch coming out. I wanted to be effective and useful for other people, and to get on really solid ground yourself can really take a while. It can really take a while - it can be a journey - so that's why I think it's really important to respect people's journey, whatever that is."

Szubanski also revealed that she has been "absolutely overwhelmed and so moved by the beautiful response" from the Australian public since her announcement.

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Watch Magda Szubanski's TV interview on The Project below: