The first couple to wed under ACT same-sex marriage laws in 2013 have endured years of legal uncertainty about their union and fear the voluntary postal survey won't deliver clarity for the country.
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Joel and Alan Player tied the knot in a moonlit ceremony under the National Carillon on December 7, 2013.
Within days their marriage was formally annulled after the High Court struck down the ACT's same-sex marriage laws.
"We had a commitment ceremony in 2009 as originally we thought that was all we'd be able to get," Alan said.
"When the ACT brought in their Marriage Equality Act that was a dream come true. We were actually able to marry and have the same recognition as anybody else. Then it was devastating having that taken away from us."
Despite the meaning of their wedding ceremony being changed after the fact, in their eyes they are married.
"I don't care what any government says to me," Joel said. "I love my husband and I am going to stand up and fight for my marriage."
It has been nothing short of a "rollercoaster" for the couple in a personal sense, but seeing gay marriage on then off the national agenda had also taken a toll.
"For me, it is just frustrating. Yet again we are stuck in the middle," Alan said. "I think the one thing that a lot of people forget is there are real lives involved."
The north Canberra couple said while a plebiscite was not ideal it held a promise of delivering something concrete within the marriage law debate - a clear picture of all Australian's views.
However, the "on the fly" nature of the voluntary postal survey was already causing confusion and had led people to question whether the result, whether it be yes or no, would be representative and statistically valid.
"I feel this is all being rushed," Alan said. "Because of the short time frame it feels as though decisions are being made on the fly.
"I think people will question the voracity and legitimacy of the process. They will look at the result, whatever it is, and think 'is this a true reflection?'"
Joel, a self-described "glass half full kind of guy" said for all its faults the voluntary postal survey gave the public a chance to have a say and that was a small step forward.
He said boycotting the survey didn't achieve much for anyone whether they be part of the gay community, supporters of the gay community or any community voting either yes or no.
"Australians are getting fed up with the fact that they can't have their opinion on the matter," he said.
"It's an opportunity for people to understand it is their voice, their way of being heard. Do the right thing and vote based on your conscience.
"The preferred answer is yes," Joel laughed.
