This absolutely happened and is not speculation. I can't find the emails from the individuals that emailed me, but I did find my email to the board of directors asking that the website language be changed because people had pinged me thinking I would be getting money, or that the money would go to fund rubygems.org.
At the time I'd sent the email I was unaware Ruby Together was on HN front page (and that's why people were pinging me)
At the time I'd sent the email I was unaware Ruby Together was on HN front page (and that's why people were pinging me)