my "assuming good intent" theory about this is that there are some very intolerant cults out there who go out of their way to harass maintainers and projects that display sympathy towards the targets of the cults' hatred. they instill fear, and well-meaning maintainers without the energy to stand up to them give in to stay out of trouble, in the same way some people give in to the mafia. this used to be a pragmatic if unsolidary position to take, for as long as there was only one such violent cult in town. now that there are multiple opposing groups that threaten detractors with similar kinds of violence, there's no pragmatic way to avoid attracting hatred and violence any more. it sucks to be ruled by fear either way.