Alongside exceptional dark drafts of lager, Oscar Wilde and about one thousand different ways to cook and use a potato, the Emerald Isle claimed another basis for recognition last week. They are the first country to legalize gay marriage by majority vote.

On Saturday, May 23, Ireland made history in the fight for marriage equality and trumped Ireland’s traditionally conservative catholic populace; paving the way for global equality and civil rights.

Amendment Thirty-Four, Marriage Equality, passed with about 1.2 million votes in favor and about 730,000 in dissent.

The passing of the amendment is crucial, as Ireland did not decriminalize homosexuality until the 1990s.

The BBC reported that out of 43 constituencies, only the largely rural areas – areas wherein church attendance tended to be higher – had the majority ‘no’ vote.

The referendum gained huge support from an independent nationwide civic society campaign – Yes Equality. Yes Equality saw the campaign as a group of ordinary citizens undertaking an extraordinary venture to join about eighteen other countries in the world that allow same-sex marriage, including Canada, Brazil, Argentina and nearly all of western Europe.

Yes Equality took pride in the fact that they can add these words: “‘Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex’” as an amendment to Ireland’s constitution.

Politicians heavily supported the movement.

CNN reported that “Prime Minister Enda Kenny said ‘prior to the vote that the country could “create history” and that a “yes” vote would “obliterate” prejudice along with irrational fears of difference.’”

The hope is that eventually the movement will reach Northern Ireland, a region wherein gay marriage is still prohibited. 

Americans should feel many emotions based on the new amendment to the Irish Constitution, the first being pride.

Firstly. take pride in the fact that the adversity associated with gay marriage can overcome all obstacles, and progress to a legal standing in a nation’s constitution.

Secondly, feel ashamed.

That is right. You hear me correctly, America.

The Irish bested us at our own game – freedom and equality.

Only 37 states in America allow gay marriage. Feel ashamed.

Granted, the United State does yield a larger population than Ireland. However, it comes as no surprises that of those 37, Alabama and Florida are the only Southern states that allow gay marriage, an area painfully in denial of gay marriage’s right to exist.

The U.S. is still trying, and it is important that we succeed. For too long, citizens of a self-recognized free nation have been stripped of their liberties.

Gay marriage and the right to benefits from institutionalizing love with whomever a person chooses is choked from the national agenda.

It is thrown asunder beneath piles of religious oppression and the fear of misunderstanding.

It is time for the United States to follow suit in one of the most important civil rights issues of our time.

The rest of the world is more than welcome to do the same.