Taiwan has been dealing with the issue of same-sex marriage for decades. Now, finally, on Wednesday, it was announced that the country will become the first in Asia to legalize gay marriage.  

Taiwanese laws that prohibit same-sex couples from marrying violate their personal freedom and equal protection, the island's Constitutional Court ruled Wednesday. The justices called sexual orientation an "immutable characteristic that is resistant to change."

Not only this is a huge step forward for LGBTI rights in Taiwan, it also will resonate across Asia.

The court's ruling gives Taiwan's government two years to change its marriage laws. If that deadline passes without legislative action, same-sex couples will be allowed to register for marriage and obtain "the status of a legally recognized couple."

(Content and Image source: npr.org & qz.com)