I am increasingly concerned by this.
The ethical argument of creating a “big tent for open source” is disingenuous if that tent shelters people who actively harm or demean others.
But beyond the ethics, there is a more practical grievance that hits users like me: why should we, the customers, be forced to subsidize projects with questionable values?
Every sponsorship, contribution, or deal a company makes is ultimately built into costs or margins somewhere, if Framework is funneling money or visibility into projects (especially those whose behavior are unquestionably abhorrent), that’s a cost we (directly or indirectly) pay.
By doing this, framework (and by extent every customer who keeps paying framework) are aligning themselves, willingly or not, with the ideologies those projects are in support of.
This creates a immense credibility and trust problem.
I cannot, in good conscience, continue with my order. I am cancelling my current purchase, and i will refrain from buying any further products from Framework unless there is a clear and verifiable change in policy.
A transparent public criteria for sponsorship (including ethical and community conduct considerations), a review of existing sponsorships, and ongoing accountability and openness around how sponsorship decisions are made.
I think i am not only speaking for myself, when i say that democratizing this process to some extent would rebuild trust.
It’s not too late for that yet, but it starts with acknowledging mistakes and making changes, not by hiding behind vague claims about openness.