Dubbo’s Nic Steepe is urging the politicians to consider the way a public debate on marriage equality would affect the mental health of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Questioning and Asexual community.

The comments were made after increasing speculation a same-sex marriage plebiscite would be blocked by the Labor Party.

“They just don’t realise the impact it’ll have on the LGTBIQA community,” Mr Steepe said.

He applauded comedian Hannah Gadsby for her comments earlier in the week on the issue, which he said drove home the impact a public debate on same-sex marriage would have.

On her official Facebook page, Ms Gadsby wrote: “The reason I care about this is because I don’t want young kids to hear the kind of horrific bile I was forced to listen to in the 1990s when Tasmania debated on whether to legalise homosexuality.”.

“For many, the debate was theatre. For me, it made me hate myself so deeply I have never been able to develop an aptitude for relationships,” she said.

Mr Steepe said a public debate would divide the community and allow hate-speak to dominate the media.

But, more signs have emerged the opposition would block the plebiscite.

In comments to Fairfax Media, Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten slammed the proposal.

"I'm worried Malcolm Turnbull will just stuff it up," Mr Shorten said. 

"He stuffed up the republic referendum, he stuffed up the NBN and he stuffed up Senate reforms when he promised to fix it."

Mr Shorten's leadership group discussed the issue behind closed doors this week, but it's understood they did not reach a final decision.

The Greens have already committed to voting against the government's enabling legislation.