Last year, on a holiday to Africa to celebrate their anniversary, Mr Wright planned to propose. But it didn't work out - the Australian government was standing in the way.

"He's my soulmate, my life partner, [and] my family consider him another son," said Mr Wright, who lives in Marrickville.

"I've watched my younger sister and younger brother get married over the years. I've been to their weddings and I've seen the outpouring of support and joy the family has for their relationship, and I feel like I should have the same thing."

Now, as the High Court gives the marriage equality postal survey the green light, the couple is conflicted. Though their marriage is one step closer, the debate surrounding the survey is hard to fathom.

Mr Wright is concerned a postal vote will be biased against the LGBTI community, but thinks - and hopes - the "yes" vote will triumph.

The alternative, Australians voting "no", would be worse than the government saying the same, he said.

"When John Howard changed the Marriage Act, that felt like my country had actually legislated against me," Mr Wright said. "What would be worse than that is my country voting against me."

The couple want to get married to enjoy the same legal rights as a heterosexual couple, and simply to recognise their love for one another.

"I don't want to have to worry about what happens if one of us goes to hospital and isn't conscious to make a decision," Mr Hansford said. "Those things are automatic if you're married.

"Also, our relationship has been for 20 fantastic years. I think that should be celebrated."

Bern Foley, 44, and her partner Suz Duffy, 47, were married overseas seven years ago, but they are still affected by Australia's marriage debate.

Speaking as daughter Ruby, 5, took part in a gymnastics class on Thursday afternoon, Ms Foley said she was "devastated" to see the High Court had allowed the postal vote to go ahead.

"My biggest fear is my daughter will be affected negatively or exposed to hate," she said. "I'm appreciative that she is only five, so hopefully we can minimise that because of her age."

She has made a "conscious effort" to avoid reading comments on social media, because many of them are negative towards her family and her life.

"It's just horrible," she said. "It's so hard to fathom and understand why people are filled with so much hate, because we were born this way."

Ms Foley and Ms Duffy, who were married in Canada, have been together for 10 years.

If marriage equality is legalised, they plan to get a matching Australian marriage certificate to hang alongside their Canadian one.

"We have a 5-year-old child, we have investments and property together, we have life insurance and health insurance," Ms Foley said.

"We have absolutely everything that any loving couple has, except recognition in the eyes of the law."