Today, Taiwan's parliament passed the second reading of a bill legalizing marriage equality bill, bringing it one step closer to becoming the first country in Asia to enshrine the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.

The measure is not without controversy, though—and dozens of protestors gathered outside the Legislative Yuan to call for a national referendum. Some demonstrators climbed over a wall into the parliamentary grounds, and one made it as far as the committee meeting room before he was taken by police.

But its backed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and President Tsai Ing-wen, who was sworn in last May. “Every person should be able to look for love freely, and freely seek their own happiness.”

MP Yu Mei-nu, who proposed the bill, tried to assuage concerns that allowing gay couples to marry would be "the end of the world."

"Heterosexual marriages will not be destroyed," she said. "I hope everybody will take a calm and tolerant attitude."

The bill needs to pass another readings next year before it can become law, a process Yu estimates would take about six months.

Polls show 46% of the Taiwanese public supports marriage equality, while 45% oppose it, lead by Christian groups.