I see it this way:
In 2008 the tide was turning towards gay marriage but had not gone all the way in that direction just yet. It was kind of a "head-them-off at the pass" moment. Now in 2022 it is pretty much common to see gay marriage legalized (or in the process of becoming legalized) not only in the Western nations but also in many Latin American nations too. Increasingly, voices that are against the gay community have found themselves ostracized in social media and even from several countries. Franklin Graham is unable to go to the UK to preach at the moment (not that the UK banned him [but this is currently being discussed], but the venues won't let him preach anywhere in the country). This is not limited to Christianity in general; several Islamic scholars have likewise been banned and their broadcasts forbidden, some legitimately, others not.
There is already a move in several banks going on that is going to penalize people for holding these kinds of opinions. Imagine if the Church leaders talked about homosexuality the way Presidents Kimball and Benson did back in the 60s through the 80s. The Church would find itself severely hampered. I've seen a lot of reactionary voices (I wouldn't call them conservative) on some other forums out there that said that the Church is appeasing or capitulating. Such is not the case.