Speaking for Lemmy World - we look for new moderators when we notice communities are un-moderated. We follow the reports closely and if we notice they aren't picked up by that community's moderators we reach out.
And yes, we were also told initially that it was because of a lack of moderation tools but now @Lionir@beehaw.org seems indicate a "cultural" difference. But we are left wondering what the difference with LW and the other instances they federate with are.
As one of the Bar owners of Lemmy World, we show anyone with homophobic takes the door.