Michael Sparks, a former academic at the University of Canberra, said the survey had forced him to expose his life to the judgment of the public, which was "just unnecessary."

"I felt it was important to speak out and say - particularly on social media - that you can have a normal family and be in a gay relationship," he said.

Dancer and choreographer Jamie Winbank found the survey "really tough".

"I could almost draw a parallel to being a teenager going through high school, you question everything and I mean everything," he said. "It gets challenging and dark."

But Mr Winbank said the campaign wasn't all darkness.

"What this campaign has also done is brought people together, made people have conversations, it has in some way brought more love to the world," he said.

"One of the most touching things was seeing my mum, who struggled when I first came out and had lost friends because of my sexuality, become one of the most proud and supportive people out there."

Author Troy Simpson said after feeling anxious during the survey, he couldn't sleep the day before the results were announced.

"The feeling was the opposite feeling you got as a child on Christmas Eve, but worse," he said. "What if most Australians vote No?"

After a power outage thwarted his plans to watch the announcement on the television, Mr Sparks heard the news in his car stuck in traffic.

"I did shed a little tear … after I heard the announcement and Same Love came on the radio - they were tears of relief, but also of happiness."

Mr Winbank heard the news in New York after a 21-hour flight.

"After witnessing the Empire State Building share it's joy too, I watched a few videos of Penny Wong and Magda Szubanski, plus … social media flooding with parties and rainbows - there was more than just a quiet tear."

Pip Carroll, a first year student at the University of Canberra, went to the Lonsdale Street party on Wednesday night.

"I felt 'I'm really on the right side of history here' and feel a part of something really special," he said.

"This survey really made me think about what everyone in the past has fought so hard for and how special it is to have all the generations coming together - that's what was special about Lonsdale Street."

Mr Carroll said, "It was … something that I'm looking forward to telling my kids about one day."

Mr Simpson said he experienced a range of emotions when the result was announced.

"My feelings went from relief, to gratitude to Australians for voting yes, to euphoria, and finally to anger — anger that the politicians had allowed this to happen."

He remains disappointed the survey was conducted in the first place.

"Right now, as dust settles, I hope this process never happens again — to any minority," Mr Simpson said.

"And I feel overwhelming gratitude for the love of my friends and family and for the decency of most right-thinking Australians."

Mr Carroll said he was hopeful the law would be changed, because the politicians have been shown that it is clearly what Australia wants.

"When the result was announced and it was an overwhelming yes, especially in Canberra, and [the politicians] were all saying "It'll be done by Christmas", I thought maybe this time they actually mean it," he said.

While Mr Sparks is happy politicians are now in the position to legislate, he is concerned about some of the proposed amendments.

"I hope they aren't giving with one hand and talking with the other," Mr Sparks said. "If we get the legislation through, and right, I won't be a second class citizen anymore."

Mr Winbank said the past few days had been a relief.

"What I'm most excited for is the future, the future where people are free to love who they want to love and share the rest of their life with whoever they want," he said.

"I'm proud to be who I am, I'm proud that Australia recognises that love is love."