Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann's links to 'ex-gay' therapy labeled a smear campaign by social conservatives.

Bachmann isn't talking about the allegations that the family clinic run by her husband, Marcus Bachmann, attempts to “cure” gay people, but that isn't stopping everyone else from talking about them.

Mr. Bachmann has denied the claims that Bachmann & Associates practices “reparative” therapy – a discredited pseudo-science that supporters say offers hope for people with unwanted same-sex attractions.

The presidential candidate known for her opposition to marriage equality is keeping a low profile on this issue, saying only that she's proud of the family business for creating jobs.

However, conservative surrogates are rushing to Bachmann's aide, hitting back at the media attention the claims have whipped up.

Several labeled the coverage Christian-bashing.

“Folks, it sure didn't take long for the liberal media to go into Christian-bashing mode against GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann,” wrote Peter LaBarbera, president of the anti-gay group Americans for Truth About Homosexuality.

“They [the Bachmanns] have been the victims of religious discrimination. They've been the victims of religious bigotry. Of bigotry and discrimination and hatred that is directed against them because of their religious beliefs. In other words, this is bordering on a hate crime,” said Bryan Fischer on his AFA-hosted radio show.

Greg Quinlan, president of the ex-gay group Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays, suggested the coverage was more about silencing the “ex-gay” movement.

“[B]ecause even one ex-gay proves that homosexual behavior is not innate or immutable, the gay lobby's fear of their former members results in false claims and attacks aimed at preventing homosexuals from exercising their right to self-determination,” Quinlan wrote. “They cannot bear to have even one homosexual leave homosexuality, hence their outrage at Dr. Bachmann.”

Other conservatives said the left was attempting to drown out Bachmann's economy-focused campaign.

“This is what the left is doing,” said Andrea Tantaros, co-host of the Fox News' The Five. “They're trying to take this job-economy election and trying to turn it into an issue about gay marriage.”

“When everyone else is talking about the economy and it's really hard to make her look dumb, let's made her look scary,” said S.E. Cupp on Friday's edition of MSNBC's Martin Bashir. “So then the media starts to look for these kooky, quirky, religious social issues stories.”

“[T]hey can't talk about her positions on the economy because they're better than Obama's would be,” Cupp added.

Commenting on the remarks at the progressive blog Equality Matters, Carlos Maza wrote, “You have to give these people credit for being so creative.”