Beehaw’s defederation purpose is very clear, and they didn’t start the drama. The mods of Beehaw started it as a safe space for minorities and marginalized communities, which is why you have to apply for an account there in the first place.
also just to hop in here and underscore a really important point: THE DRAMA IS LITERALLY ALL USERS BEING WEIRD ABOUT THIS. NOBODY ON THE ADMIN SIDE CARES. WE ARE LITERALLY COORDINATING WITH THE PEOPLE WE DEFEDERATED WITH (and a bunch of other folks) TO MAKE THE PLATFORM BETTER SO WE DON’T EVEN HAVE TO DO THIS. THERE IS NO ENMITY BETWEEN US AT ALL. this is so fucking weird to watch play out, because it’s all people getting mad on behalf of their instances when everybody behind the scenes is chill and understands!