Your observation could be the key to the problem. It would apply to ordaining known homosexuals only because closeted ones could slip through and no one would be the wiser unless they slipped up and were exposed.
The American bishops should have heeded Rome (and their fellow bishops around the world in matters pertaining to their dioceses) and maybe we wouldn't have this mess on our hands.
Catholics don't think about this much, but when you are in another bishop's diocese, that bishop must be obeyed (if at all possible).
I noticed that some groups shop to get approval for their activities in liberal dioceses. If their bishop condemns their activites, it seems to me some of them find a diocese and try to find another bishop to approve. Case in point. Can't remember the name of the book but it was about catholic charismatics. The group was from New Orleans, but when they got their book published, they got their approval from the bishop in Singapore. I think it was Cardinal Sin but I could be mistaken. I could be wrong and it could have been for another reason. If I am right, it is a very devious way to practice one's religious activities and surely displeases God. Obedience (to rightful directives) is also very scriptural. There must be severe punishment for willful disobedience. That was my theory but I couldn't prove it one way or the other.
Are they all lawyers, with their forum shopping?