Chip Gaines, alongside his spouse Joanna, confronted vital backlash from conservative Christian followers and distinguished evangelical figures after their new Magnolia Community actuality sequence, Again to the Frontier, featured a same-sex couple, Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs, and their 10-year-old twin sons. The present, which premiered on HBO Max on July 10, 2025, follows three households residing as Eighteen Eighties homesteaders with out fashionable facilities. The inclusion of Hanna and Riggs, a Texas-based homosexual couple who welcomed their sons by way of surrogacy, sparked criticism from figures like Franklin Graham and the American Household Affiliation, who known as the casting “disappointing” and “unbiblical,” arguing it promotes a view of marriage and household opposite to their interpretation of Christian values (al.com, CNN, Fox Information).
Chip Gaines’ Protection
On July 13, 2025, Chip Gaines responded to the criticism on X, defending the choice to incorporate the couple and criticizing what he known as the judgmental nature of “fashionable American Christian tradition.” He wrote, “Discuss, ask qustns, pay attention.. perhaps even study. An excessive amount of to ask of recent American Christian tradition. Decide 1st, perceive later/by no means. It’s a tragic sunday when ‘non believers’ have by no means been confronted with hate or vitriol till they’re launched to a contemporary American Christian 💔” (CNN, HuffPost). He additional engaged with critics, quoting Bible verses like 1 Peter 3:15 to advocate for “gentleness and respect” and urging Christians to “decide not” and “love each other” (USA Right this moment, NBC Information).
In response to a fan expressing unhappiness over the casting, Gaines replied, “Nicely I respect that.. sincerely. So should you admire and respect us a lot. Any likelihood there’s extra to this? However that’s my level.. nobody is aware of. However the ‘Christians’ have actually come out in full pressure as in the event that they do know.. ‘decide not….’ ‘Love each other’ its not tough” (Fox Information, BuzzFeed). He additionally responded to a pastor’s put up in regards to the Holy Spirit’s position in convicting sin, merely posting a coronary heart emoji, signaling his concentrate on love over judgment (The Christian Submit).
The Couple’s Perspective
Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs spoke out in assist of the Gaineses, with Hanna posting on Instagram Tales on July 15, 2025, thanking them for “main with love, listening, and studying.” In an interview with Queerty, Hanna defined their participation was motivated by a want to “normalize same-sex households,” noting the significance of illustration: “When households like ours are seen, it opens doorways for others to really feel secure, beloved, and validated. Visibility isn’t nearly being seen; it’s about ensuring nobody feels alone” (Individuals, NBC Washington). Riggs added that they joined to focus on adoption points and advocate for same-sex households, having confronted related backlash earlier than (HuffPost).
Context and Previous Controversies
The Gaineses, recognized for his or her HGTV present Fixer Higher and their evangelical Christian religion, have confronted scrutiny over LGBTQ+ points earlier than. In 2016, a BuzzFeed report highlighted their attendance at Antioch Neighborhood Church in Waco, Texas, whose pastor, Jimmy Seibert, opposed same-sex marriage and supported conversion remedy (Vox, Enterprise Insider). The report famous that Fixer Higher had by no means featured a same-sex couple, prompting hypothesis in regards to the Gaineses’ beliefs. HGTV responded on the time, stating, “We don’t discriminate towards members of the LGBT group in any of our reveals” (Vox). In a 2021 Hollywood Reporter interview, Joanna Gaines rejected claims of being anti-LGBTQ, saying such accusations have been “so removed from who we actually are” and induced her vital misery (NBC Washington, NBC Connecticut).
In contrast to Fixer Higher, Again to the Frontier deliberately included a homosexual couple, a deliberate shift that some see as a response to previous criticism (Protestia). The Gaineses’ religion, typically central to their model, has been each a draw and a degree of competition, with their 2021 Tremendous Soul Sunday look with Oprah Winfrey emphasizing their religious connection to their work (Protestia).
Criticism from Conservative Figures
- Franklin Graham: On July 12, 2025, Graham, son of Billy Graham, posted on X, “I hope this isn’t true, however I learn immediately that Chip and Joanna Gaines are that includes a homosexual couple of their new sequence. If It’s true, it is vitally disappointing. Whereas we’re to like individuals, we must always love them sufficient to inform them the reality of God’s Phrase” (BuzzFeed, Individuals).
- Ed Vitagliano (American Household Affiliation): Vitagliano known as the casting “unhappy and disappointing,” noting the Gaineses’ affect in evangelical circles and their previous stance on biblical marriage (Fox Information, WORLD).
- Them Earlier than Us: The group criticized the inclusion of a same-sex couple who used surrogacy, claiming it “cuts youngsters off from their organic mom,” labeling it an “injustice” (Nationwide Catholic Register).
- Jon Root: The Christian commentator accused the Gaineses of “selling homosexuality” and “supporting homosexuals shopping for youngsters,” expressing deep disappointment (USA Right this moment).
Assist and Broader Sentiment
Assist for the Gaineses got here from varied quarters, significantly on platforms like Reddit. On r/atheism, customers praised Chip’s stance, with one noting, “I’m pleasantly shocked to see them get up for decency and equality even when it means dropping some viewers” (Reddit). On r/Fauxmoi, a person commented, “This doesn’t appear to be simply following the earnings however a sincerely held perception,” highlighting Chip’s daring call-out of homophobia (Reddit). X posts have been blended: @pameladubsky49 known as critics “missing in empathy and intelligence,” whereas @WesternJournalX accused Chip of “deflection and smug superiority” (Yahoo, Western Journal).
Vital Evaluation
The backlash displays a broader cultural divide, with the Gaineses’ evangelical fanbase anticipating alignment with conventional views on marriage, rooted of their previous affiliation with Antioch Neighborhood Church (The Christian Submit). Chip’s response, emphasizing love and questioning judgment, suggests a shift from their earlier silence on such points, presumably influenced by years of criticism from each conservative and progressive sides (Vox, HuffPost). The inclusion of Hanna and Riggs aligns with business traits, as HGTV and different networks usually function LGBTQ+ {couples}, however the Gaineses’ faith-based model makes this a flashpoint (Protestia). Critics like Franklin Graham body their opposition as biblical constancy, but Chip’s use of scripture to counter them signifies a theological disagreement inside Christianity about decoding “love” versus “reality” (USA Right this moment). The surrogacy critique from Them Earlier than Us provides a layer of moral debate, although it’s much less distinguished within the discourse (Nationwide Catholic Register).
The Gaineses’ resolution might mirror a realistic transfer to broaden their viewers, given Fixer Higher’s previous criticism for missing range, however Chip’s vocal protection suggests private conviction (HuffPost). The controversy dangers alienating their core evangelical base, as seen in X posts like @EDIGuy01’s vow to cease watching, nevertheless it additionally garners assist from progressive viewers (Reddit, Yahoo). The present’s success might hinge on its high quality slightly than the casting debate, as famous by friendlyatheist.com, which argues the backlash is performative and unlikely to affect viewership long-term (friendlyatheist.com).
What’s Subsequent?
The controversy is unlikely to subside quickly, with conservative teams just like the American Household Affiliation persevering with to criticize the Gaineses (Fox Information). The Hanna-Riggs household’s visibility might additional normalize same-sex households on TV, as Hanna hopes, however might additionally intensify scrutiny of the Gaineses’ religion and model (Individuals). The couple’s upcoming Shark Tank look on July 17, 2025, might shift focus, however their silence on political points previously suggests they’ll keep away from additional escalation (USA Right this moment). For updates, comply with NBC News, USA Today, or People.