The point is trying to gauge intent from a downvote is an extremely stupid and completely ridiculous way to go about moderating a forum. Maybe I downvote a thread because I dont feel like it was in the right subforum. Maybe I downvote because in my opinion it was low effort. Maybe I downvote because I disagree with the general theme of the thread and dont feel like engaging with it. Maybe I downvote simply because I dont like the person who made the thread and was in a bad mood.
Moderators retroactively deciding downvotes are now an indicator of some sort of hateful ideology is absolutely asinine.
oh no someone downvoted my trans-related shitpost on my shitposting messageboard ahh help ban them!!