Spuffure I fully agree with you on the preconceived notions about sexualities and the lazy stereotypes that come with that. I also agree that the fetishizing of lesbians is gross and damaging.
I feel your use of the term “normal” is very problematic. I’m a teacher and work predominantly with women of colour many of whom are Muslims and I’m offended by your previous message. I’m also a staunch atheist which I’m stating merely for context.
Implying that any faith needs to change to fit your “normal” is really not ok. You are obviously not a Muslim or a Jewish person so what gives you the right to tell others how to worship? Saying “Islam can be more progressive” is tacitly saying “I personally want a faith I am not part of to change to make me feel better”. That’s no different than a religious extremist saying “death to the infidels”.
You make your opposition to Islam clear by not being a follower of the faith. And stop with the histrionics, you are absolutely welcome to condemn the actions of individuals and you can be critical of how faiths do things but the way you are phrasing things IS Islamaphobic. I wonder how many Muslims you’ve spoken to about their perception of their life within their religion?
You feel all Islam should change (because you, a non-Muslim, say so). They should change because they aren’t “normal”. How many of my students need to change? How many are not “normal”? How do you decide when something crosses the line? Is it “normal” to pretend you are eating the body of Christ or is it “normal” to choose to cover your head as a sign of respect? The moderate Muslims of the world far outweigh those who hold extremist views.
You’re not the global arbitrator of what is “normal”; no one is. Just live your life, you’re the master of your own destiny. Religious freedom is important and I’ll defend the rights of others to worship despite choosing not to worship personally.
EDIT: It’s frustrating you edited your post to say “equal” not “normal” but I appreciate you saw the problematic nature with that language and choose to change it.