We find out later that he's homophobic because he was raped as a child

No! Do not do this. This makes me livid. Do not ever generalize people response to something like this, ever.
It is the root to Type's behavior. Not everybody reacts the same way.
While I sympathize, it does not excuse Type's homophobia.
(And without going into specifics, I understand what Type went through.)

Tharn himself is horrified and does feel remorse for his actions, even protecting Type from the blowback that he richly deserved for his homophobia.
And he keeps protecting him.
Your original post was with regards to Tharn's behavior in the first 4-5 episodes, which for some reason you still do?
Although you cite the one and only scene where Tharn was out of line in episode 5.
I found Type's behavior the bigger issue, and yet you still give him the free pass.
I understand that people feel uncomfortable with the bathroom scene, but it is the catalyst for Type to finally talk about his past.
And it is also what forms the bond between them. This and the fact that both of them had traumatic pasts.
Nothing is black and white in life, people's reactions are never going to be similar.
I am fully aware of what happens to Tar and at no point downplayed it.
I actually felt that Llong should have been dealt with much harsher, but Tar did not want it made public knowledge. But you did not mention that or Tar in your post.
Instead you decided what the outcome should have been without understanding the impact it would have had on Tar's life, especially in light of what happened to Type and the media's reaction to his story.