I only have limited perspective, but the people I know who are really interested in free software (including most notably my girlfriend) are really not interest

I only have limited perspective, but the people I know who are really interested in free software (including most notably my girlfriend) are really not interested in the other aspects or RMS or anyone else's politics, in relation to FOSS. There is this perception that people are sitting around saying "oh, well I like free software, but thay movement is dominated my mysoginists or whatever, there's no place for me". I don't buy that. Positive contributors are drawn to FSF over free software advocacy. Other personal/ personality issues only matter to most people when they are made so distracting they can't be ignored, and that just breeds apathy. So tldr, I agree with you, this may be appeasing people who have just taken an interest to make trouble, and sponsors that dont want to get involved, but it is completely alienating people actually interested in free software.