I was there, I saw the thread. @TheDude, did you? It was pretty strongly in favour. Do we really need to keep waiting around to see if an instance administrated by a guy who wants to declare “cis” a slur is going to turn out okay?
https://sh.itjust.works/post/216888 for context.
Because no other place tolerates them so they flock to any that do. That’s unfortunate reality of prioritizing ‘free speech’ over everything on a public internet space. You invite the baggage that comes with that.
Absolute free speech shouldn’t exist. If that were the case, we’d be giving a platform to the worst of the worst. The most vile, hateful speech should not be allowed to exist in a society that claims to want safety, respect for all, and prosperity.
The idea of absolute free speech requires the tolerance of hate, which allows the intolerant to drive out ideas that don’t align with theirs. See here, the Paradox of Tolerance.