Lopez-Prater’s firing (or technically her not being offered continued teaching assignments) feels particularly frightening to me as a gay man.

The idea that religious sensibilities should be afforded special protection in the public square is obviously not something that sits comfortably with members of gender and sexual minorities.

What else might a Muslim or conservative Christian student find uncomfortable in the University setting? When it comes to queer topics, we already know. The nation is embroiled with efforts to ban books and stop discourse based not on rational consideration and valuing diversity, but on religious chauvinism.

This Muslim student who insists that no other student should be able to look at important art is not a respectful person. She is a religious fanatic who must be treated like a religious fanatic.

I’m sorry to sound so harsh, but as a member of a minority despised by most major religions, I have a deeply personal understanding of why religion must not be elevated to a place of special privilege in society.