The purpose, of course, is to discredit conservative ideas by discrediting their messengers. Being called a homophobe is kind of like being called a thespian. It sounds kinda bad, but most people have no clue what it actually means. Once again we conservatives have sat quietly by and let the left set the terms of the debate. I can't decide if we do this because we are gutless or just plain stupid.
Lefties are smart.
They understand that the naming, the positioning, of an idea is just as important as its substance, and must come first. They then introduce it through the media, academia, the foundations, and even the entertainment world. But they do so too late. The battle over legislation is by definition too late. This is difficult.