In a continent where same-sex marriage is not legal in any country, Taiwan is breaking ground as the first country to legally recognize same-sex marriage. The Constitutional Court of Taiwan ruled on Wednesday that the Taiwanese Civil Code that banned a same-sex couple from marrying was a constitutional violation.
“The provisions of Chapter 2 on Marriage of Part IV on Family of the Civil Code do not allow two persons of the same sex to create a permanent union of intimate and exclusive nature for the committed purpose of managing a life together,” the decision reads, according to Buzzfeed.
“The said provisions, to the extent of such failure, are in violation of both the people’s freedom of marriage as protected by Article 22 and the people’s right to equality as guaranteed by Article 7 of the Constitution.”
Crowds filled the streets outside the Parliament House as the decision was made. Cheers erupted and tears flooded as the announcement was made to those waiting outside.
The full decision can be read here.
