A top Taiwan court ruled in favor of gay marriage today, in a landmark ruling that paves the way for the country to become the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex unions. The Constitutional Court said Taiwan's Civil Code, which says an agreement to marry could only be made between a man and a woman, "violated" the constitution's guarantees of freedom of marriage and people's equality. It gave Taiwan's government two years to implement the ruling.

Read more: Taiwan Court Rules in Favor of Same-Sex Marriage

IMG_7045

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

Long time LGBT rights activist Chi Chia-wei preparing the rainbow flag he characteristically drapes over his back.
IMG_7049

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

The crowd waiting for Taiwan's Constitutional Court's ruling.
IMG_7054

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

The crowd waiting for Taiwan's Constitutional Court's ruling.
IMG_7056

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

Waiting for Taiwan's Constitutional Court's ruling.
IMG_7061

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

Waiting for Taiwan's Constitutional Court's ruling.
IMG_7065

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

Waiting for Taiwan's Constitutional Court's ruling.
IMG_7071

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

LGBT rights activist Jennifer Lu (呂欣潔) on stage.
IMG_7073

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

The crowd cheers as the Constitutional Court says banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

IMG_7097

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

IMG_7081

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

IMG_7109

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

IMG_7077

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

IMG_7083

Photo Credit: The News Lens/Olivia Yang

Editor's note: Words by AFP. Images by Olivia Yang/The News Lens