Which is why I think terms like "homophobia" are literal definitions. I'm also reminded of the original justification for "an eye for an eye" - to limit the revenge for some crime to something just. And I do think that the perceived lack of even that (in favor of rehabilitation) is another driving factor here.
"Homophobia" is definitely not a literal definition. A person I know was called out on his anti-gay remarks and he shot back with "I'm not afraid of homosexuals, I find what they are doing to be morally repulsive". It's an evangelist christian thing, and it's truly is not fear of homosexuality but strong belief that they are performing acts more heinous than murder. And it's all about the authoritarian draws as this article points out. They want to impose their Christian morality on everyone, and if some Muslims are trying to do the same thing in the Middle East, then all Muslims here must doing something that competes with their views. Not all of the authoritarians are of this mindset, as the article points out, it crosses all barriers and all beliefs. For instance, there are people who are so against the NSA's tactics that they wish to abolish the NSA. That is an authoritarian concept, you are imposing your authority on the NSA. It's not exclusive to the right, it's also in the left. It's all about extremism of your views. If you believe your view so strongly, you will not accept any middle ground, compromise, or even the acceptance of anything against your beliefs. It's blind devotion to your cause, almost literally, as rage can visually blind you at times (being bipolar I've experienced it once or twice before, you can only partially see in those states... thankfully I'm not a raging angry person by nature, though, I just experience extreme mood swings that are temporary).