To save anyone clicks: Those submissions were about gender and trans and sex, and at least one of them had an outrageous click-baity title.

Look, I've submitted stories about sex and gender, as well. Many got flagged. Some didn't and led to productive discussions.

It's very hit-and-miss, very luck-dependent.

And it's no use getting worked up about it, because you don't need "flagging gangs" for that. Many HNers flag those stories by default and on sight, without any coordination. If you cannot live with that, submit other topics.