Yes, it’s our time: couple push for change as same-sex marriage poll looms

They have two young children, Elliott, 3, and baby Audrey, five months.

They live a normal, quiet lifestyle in Orange with friends, family and work colleagues. The couple have the same aspirations for the children as most families.

Yet their dream of a legal marriage is blocked by the laws of the land.

Dr Noonan said the struggle for equality has been tough and the current same-sex marriage debate which culminates in a national non-binding and non-compulsory postal vote from September 12 was not helping matters.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is overseeing the plebiscite using information from the electoral roll. The survey form asks only one question: "Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?"

As far as the committed couple is concerned there can only be one answer.

“Yes, we are keen [to be married],” said Dr Noonan.

“We want to honour the bond between us and solidify our relationship.”

She said they had the support of friends and community in Orange but the national debate leading up to the national postal vote was hard to bear.

“It’s taken a toll on us,” she said.

“There seems to be a climate of hatred out there. Everything’s been brought to the surface. It’s given certain people a platform.”

Dr Noonan said the couple were glad their children were too young to be aware of the campaign and that the matter should have been resolved in parliament.

“I feel somewhat betrayed by the government,” she said.

“A democratic parliament system could have handled this quite adequately. It shouldn’t be up for debate.”

Dr Noonan is urging people to vote ‘Yes’ for marriage equality in the national postal vote and encourage the government to act.

“I would encourage everyone to vote,” Dr Noonan said.

“I hope they [the government] will respect that vote. They said they would respect a ‘No’ vote, I hope they respect a ‘Yes’ vote and can enter their own vote and  I hope they do it quickly.”

Dr Noonan said they would not become activists during the election but would stand strong with friends and family to support a ‘Yes’ vote.

“I feel I need to stay strong for my family,” she said.

“I’ll be wearing a rainbow pin. I plan to approach it by being committed to being a happy, loving family.

“We are normal. We are not a threat to anyone and we hope for people’s kindness and compassion.”

She said she wanted same-sex marriage to be legalised for the the sake of their children.

Dr Noonan is a GP in Orange and said that when her patients found out about the birth of their son three years ago in a Central Western Daily story they had been caring.

“Any patient who has mentioned it has been very sweet and supportive,” she explained.

Dr Noonan said it was disappointing that Australia was behind several other countries in adopting marriage equality but hoped change was about to happen.

“I have faith in the community’s sense of fairness and that Orange is a strong community that looks after each other.

“I respect their ability to make their own decision but I hope that they will vote in support of justice and equality.”

All people registered on the federal roll and people who have registered for the vote will be sent survey forms by the Australian Bureau of Statistics from September 12.

The forms must be returned by November 7 with a result announced on November 15.