YEREVAN, MAY 24, ARMENPRESS. Taiwan's constitutional court declared on Wednesday that same-sex couples have the right to legally marry, the first such ruling in Asia, sparking celebration by activists who have been campaigning for the right for years, Reuters reports.

The court, known as the Judicial Yuan, said current marriage laws were "in violation of both the people’s freedom of marriage ... and the people’s right to equality", and it gave two years for legal amendments to allow same-sex marriage.

"If relevant laws are not amended or enacted within the said two years, two persons of the same sex who intend to create the said permanent union shall be allowed to have their marriage registration effectuated," the court said.

Hundreds of supporters of same-sex marriage gathered in the street next to the island's parliament to celebrate the decision, holding colorful umbrellas to ward off a drizzle.

Taiwan has a reputation as a beacon of liberalism in the region.