After decades of campaigning and waiting, Taiwan has welcomed hundreds of same-sex couples as they exercised their new legal rights to tie the knot.

Dozens of reporters and photographers filled a registry office in Taipei on Friday waiting to capture the moment when the self-ruled island became the first country in Asia to legalise gay marriage.

Marc Yuan and Shane Lin were the first to sign their marriage certificate under the gaze of the legendary Taiwanese LGBTQ rights campaigner, Chi Chia-wei.

The couple, who had waited 12 years for the law to change, said they felt fortunate to be able to celebrate their union.

“It has been a remarkable achievement for Taiwan’s same-sex marriage movement, and I feel lucky to have the blessings from my friends and family,” said Lin.

Gay and lesbian newlyweds pose for group photo at a pro same-sex marriage party after registering their marriages in Taipei. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

“I still remember how I tried to hide the rainbow flag after I attended the first gay pride parade in Taipei over a decade ago. But today, I am able to openly tell the world through these cameras that I’m gay and I’m getting married. I felt really fortunate.”

Xue Chen and Antonia Chen organised their wedding in 2009, but had to endure a long wait to put the plans into action.

“Even though the entire registration only takes three minutes, I can’t stop thinking about what we went through over the last decade, and how long it has been since Taiwan’s LGBTQ activists first started campaigning for marriage equality,” said Chen.

#Taiwan legendary lgbt activist Chi Chia-wei signs first same-sex marriage certificate in Asia using pen gifted by President Tsai to mark the historic occasion pic.twitter.com/1NseU5y5RP — Rik Glauert (@RikGlauert) May 24, 2019

“When I first met Antonia, I knew I would marry her one day, but that was only a wish. Today, my wish has finally come true and today’s registration will allow us to certify our right to love who we love until the end of our lives.”

Chi Chia-wei, dressed in his signature red coat decorated with rainbow bears, told the Guardian that while same-sex marriage should have happened 10 to 20 years ago, it was still great to witness so many same-sex couples being able to exercise their rights.

An emotional Shane Lin (C) is comforted by his new husband Marc Yuan (R) and a friend during a wedding ceremony in Shinyi district in Taipei. Photograph: Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images

The veteran of countless rights rally across Taiwan, where he would wave his rainbow flag, Chi said: “The fight is not over as we still need to extend this right to transnational couples who are not able to legally register because one of them may come from a country that doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage.”

The restriction on certain foreigners is one of several still remaining on Taiwan’s gay community despite the legislation being passed last week. Another is that same-sex couples can only adopt their partners’ biological children. Additionally, opponents have vowed to punish Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen and legislators who supported the bill in the national election next January.

Despite the challenges, Jennifer Lu said Friday’s celebrations would not be written off so easily. “Today will still go down in history as the day when human rights and equality are upheld in Taiwan.”

Taiwan made history last week when its parliament became the first in Asia to legalise gay marriage, sparking jubilation among huge crowds of gay rights supporters on the streets of Taipei.

Some 300 same-sex couples were expected to register on Friday, according to local authorities, around 150 in the capital Taipei which boasts a thriving and vocal gay community.