It doesn’t matter what word he used, he was using it in an anti LGBT sentiment.
i think it does matter wrt what he actually said or intended to say. whether he's being homophobic in his position regard gay clergy isn't a matter of debate: he is.
the issue is that he claims not to have intended to use an offensive term, and apologizes for the offense cause by the term. That i'm willing to believe. i'm not debating his gay clergy policy, which i obviously agree is bigoted.