I had to google to check, and I’ve found so many interpretations that I feel like a linguist would have a field day with that word alone.

No it’s not and its use should not be perpetuated in this context.

It’s definitely the homophobia you are perceiving.

No one misses the edge lords of yesteryear.

Well there's the computer "virus" metaphor. Arguably one of the most mainstream concepts of information security. There's also attack "vector".

I haven't heard anyone using that homophobic edgelord word in probably a decade. Maybe a time traveler?