"For us it wold make us feel more accepted and a part of society," Russell Nankervis.

EQUALITY WANTED: Russell Nankervis and Adam Clark say to vote yes in the Marriage Law Postal Survey means "you belong in a world where everyone is loved and equal". Photo: SUPPLIED 101217survey

FILLING out the Marriage Law Postal Survey might be a mere formality for some people, but for Russell Nankervis and Adam Clark it represents equality.

The survey was controversial from the start .

Many said it should not even occur and that politicians should simply decide whether or not same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, as they do with any other law change.

Alrerady more than 10 million people (62.5 per cent of eligible voters) have completed and returned the survey, the Australian Bureau of Statics (ABS) says.

Former Kelso High student Russell and his partner Adam have been together three years.

In almost every way they say they are like any other couple – living together, paying bills together and sharing their lives together.

But unlike a hetrosexual couple, the law does not allow them to marry.

While Russell voted yes in the survey, his father Harold Nankervis ticked the “no” box and the two recently sat down for an ABC documentary to talk about their views on same-sex marriage.

Usually, when the two broach the topic, Russell said one of them always ends up storming out of the room.

“Why is getting married so important to you?” Harold asked in the ABC documentary.

“I want to be able to do what you’ve done and what Nana and Pop have done and what countless other couples around the world have done,” Russell said.

“I feel like I shouldn’t be excluded from being married just because of who I’m attracted to.”

Russell said while he Adam are just happily dating at the moment and have no intentions to marry just yet, they would like to have the choice to able to one day.

“For us, it [legalising same-sex marriage] would make us feel more accepted and a part of society,” Russell said.

Russell said taking part in the ABC documentary was interesting, however his father still remains firmly in the “no” camp.

Marriage Law Postal Survey forms must be returned to the ABS by October 27, with results to be announced on November 15.

Replacement survey forms cans be ordered until 6pm on Friday, October 20 by visiting the ABS at www.marriagesurvey.abs.gov.au.