Good question. I know I published a couple articles early on after I joined here, and have never been a "supporter".
I also remember being quite baffled by that "published" checkbox. Does that mean that my article has been published elsewhere? or that it's going to be published here? or that I have to check it in order to get it published here? Some better wording, or explanation, is in order, I think. Can't remember how I left it (unchecked, I think), but my articles were published quickly.