There have been many posts on this forum that denigrate the word "Progressive" and make it seem like it is a terrible thing to be called a progressive.

It means "going forward". Don't you want to be associated with a word that means going forward? I know I do.

The opposite of progressive is "retrograde". That means, "Tending or moving backward; having a backward course; contrary; as, a retrograde motion; opposed to progressive."

Personally, I would not want to be associated with a movement (political party or whatever) that wants to move backward or has a backward course. I would rather be involved with a political party that wants to move forward.