Considering that Touhou is a creator-centered community, I do not think seniority should determine one’s so-called “status” within the community. Or rather, emphasizing hierarchy in a doujin community is a foolish thing to do.
Over the past few years, I have seen many excellent new doujin creators whose contributions to Touhou are greater than those of many people who first encountered Touhou fifteen years ago. At the same time, however, I am also uncomfortable with the tendency to overemphasize “contributions to the community.” Touhou should be equal.