Chip and Joanna Gaines, the stars behind HGTV’s Fixer Upper and founders of the Magnolia Network, are facing a wave of backlash from faith-based fans after their new reality series, Back to the Frontier, featured a same-sex couple. The controversy intensified after Chip Gaines publicly criticized what he called the judgmental nature of “modern American Christian culture.”
The Back to the Frontier episode featuring gay couple Joe Riggs and Jason Hanna, who are parents and have spoken openly about the importance of representation, drew a flurry of reactions from social media users, many of whom expressed anger that the show was “normalizing” same-sex parenting.
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“We are extremely honored to be one of the three modern-day families going #BacktotheFrontier because visibility matters and [is] so important,” Jason Hanna wrote on Instagram.
In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Hanna and Riggs said they viewed their participation in the show as an opportunity to help normalize families like theirs: “Representation matters deeply, especially for those who are still finding the courage to live their truth.”
In response to the growing criticism, Chip Gaines posted a strongly worded message on X: “Talk, ask [questions], listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never. It’s a sad Sunday when ‘non believers’ have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian.”
You’ll see no hate from me. I’m just sad. I can’t let my kids watch your show now, since I’m trying to protect their eyes and hearts from the lies of the world—lies you’re now participating in.
— Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry) July 13, 2025
Also, filter out some of the online vitriol and consider taking to heart some of the…
The statement provoked further backlash from some Christian influencers and commentators. Joel Berry, managing editor at the satirical site Babylon Bee, wrote in reply: “I can’t let my kids watch your show now, since I’m trying to protect their eyes and hearts from the lies of the world—lies you’re now participating in.”
Gaines replied to Berry: “Don’t be sad Joel.. plenty of other stuff out there. I’m sure everyone will be fine. BUT I sincerely appreciate the advice.. and I certainly will.”
Don’t be sad Joel.. plenty of other stuff out there. I’m sure everyone will be fine.
— Chip Gaines (@chipgaines) July 13, 2025
BUT I sincerely appreciate the advice about taking some of the thoughtful, heartfelt, encouraging constructive criticism to heart.. and I certainly will
Other conservative Christian voices joined the criticism. Journalist Megan Basham said Gaines appeared to be “giving aid to a terrible ideology,” and Allie Beth Stuckey warned that “encouraging others” to normalize sin was spiritually dangerous.
Reverend Franklin Graham also weighed in, calling the Gaineses’ decision to include a same-sex couple “very disappointing” and a violation of biblical teaching.
I hope this isn’t true, but I read today that Chip and Joanna Gaines are featuring a gay couple in their new series. If It is true, it is very disappointing. While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of God’s Word. His Word is absolute truth.…
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) July 12, 2025
Despite the backlash, Chip Gaines maintained his stance. His final post on the matter simply read, “On our way to church… Y’all enjoy this beautiful Sunday,” alongside a repost of a 2016 tweet saying, “In times of trouble… you’ll find the Gaines family at church.”
The Magnolia Network has remained silent on social media about the controversy, instead highlighting recent Daytime Emmy nominations for its programs.
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Back to the Frontier premiered this summer on Magnolia Network. It follows three families, including Riggs and Hanna, as they attempt to live like pioneers.
The Gaineses rose to fame in 2013 on Fixer Upper, quickly becoming household names among Christian and family audiences. Their Magnolia brand has since expanded to include a cable network, multiple businesses in Waco, Texas, and a large fan base that has followed their journey closely.