Other Countries On The U.S. Finally Getting Marriage Equality: Been There, Done That

TORONTO -- The U.S. took a giant step toward full equality for its LGBT citizens Friday when the Supreme Court ruled that the freedom to marry is a constitutionally protected right that no one -- no activist, bureaucrat, legislator or any other variety of hater -- can deny to Americans of any sexual orientation.

Americans cheered, wept, danced, hugged and sang.

And all the while, their neighbors watched on bemusedly. Here in Canada, and indeed in much of the Western world, marriage equality is almost taken for granted because it has been legally enshrined for years.

"It's about time, eh?" Emma Quinn, a 21-year-old Toronto resident, told The WorldPost in a Friday interview.

New York Times reporter Liam Stack noted that some other Canadians may have had a less polite reaction.

Here are some of the best reminders we've spotted that while the U.S. may lead the world in some ways, on certain other important metrics it's only just catching up.

Joan Burton, the deputy prime minister of Ireland -- which this year became the first country in the world to legalize marriage equality by popular vote -- had this to say:

Jason Bordoff, a former Obama adviser and current Columbia University professor, wrote:

Mackay Taggart, a Canadian journalist, offered a mild reminder that Canada has been treating its LGBT citizens like human beings for a decade now, or whatever. WHATEVER, MACKAY.

Julie Flugt, a student in Denmark, was encouraging...

...while Raquel, a student in Spain, was, um, less so.

same sex marriage has been legal in spain since 2005, in portugal since 2010— can't believe it took america so long to legalize it.

— raquel (@raqgaspar) June 26, 2015

If you're an American and your ego is smarting a little right now, just remember: Your country moved a bit closer today to granting full legal equality to LGBT citizens (although there's still a lot that needs to change). Also, as one Toronto resident points out, Friday's Supreme Court ruling will allow the U.S. to face a bit less judgment abroad, which is always nice:

CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this article misspelled Burton's name and mistakenly identified her as the former deputy prime minister of Ireland. She still holds the office.