Chip Gaines Addresses Backlash Over Magnolia Network Reality Series Featuring Gay Couple: “Love One Another, It’s Not Difficult”

Television personality Chip Gaines defended the inclusion of a same-sex couple in “Back to the Frontier,” a new show featuring him and his wife, Joanna, about families who give up technology and try to live as homesteaders did in the 1800s.

via: Deadline

“Talk, ask qustns, listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never,” Chip wrote in a post on X. “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.”

Chip’s post came after the son of Evangelical pastor Billy Graham, Franklin, said it was “disappointing” that Chip and Joanna Gaines featured a gay couple on their show.

“Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin,” read Graham’s hateful words on X.

Back to the Frontier, premiered on HBO Max and Magnolia Network, on July 10, and features several families reimagining their lives as 1880s homesteaders and the challenges it brings, forgoing the comforts of the modern world.

The eight-part series features Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs, a married same-sex couple raising 10-year-old twin boys in Dallas, Texas.

Following the backlash, the Hannah-Riggs family shared a statement on their Instagram Stories, saying, “Representation matters deeply–especially for those who are still finding the courage to live their truth. When families like ours are visible, it opens doors for others to feel safe, loved, and validated. Visibility isn’t just about being seen; it’s about making sure no one feels alone.”

Back on social media, Chip continued to defend the inclusion of the Hanna-Riggs family on Back to the Frontier. Another social media user who claims to be a Christian and cites 1 Peter 3:15 in their bio questioned Chip for “promoting homosexuality,” to which the Magnolia Network founder replied by citing the Biblical verse, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

“I really felt the hope, and gentleness and respect here,” Chip added.

When the anti-gay user noted that Chip “tried” to use the quote against him, Chip replied, “Ha.. I didn’t try to use it against you, I did use it against you.. it’s pretty weird to have a life verse that has specific messaging and instruction that you don’t even come close to applying. But it does seem like you love the attention so enjoy..”

Another user called the backlash over the series, “The Rise and Fall of Magnolia,” to which Chip said, “Come on Andrew.. this was not ours to build.. you think you or this situation can take it away.. pretty arrogant prediction. Gods will be done ya know.”

Chip also replied to another user claiming to be a Christian who said this was a “PR nightmare,” saying the Gaineses would address the backlash with “a carefully crafted statement.”

“Ha.. you don’t know us very well if you think PR and ‘carefully crafted statements’ will have anything to do with this. ‘sinner saved by a merciful God’ just like us Dolly!” Chip said noting the user’s words in their bio. “Thats easy to write in a bio.. But in times like these pretty hard to remember I guess.”

A user “prayed” for Chip and Joanna to “take the road less traveled,” to which Chip reflected on saying, “Remember Andrew the road ‘less traveled’ is the road of love and kindness and sincerely following Jesus. Loving your neighbors as yourself.. that’s a less traveled road. Pray that we stay on it Andrew!”

Another user said they were “extremely sad” with the whole situation because they admired the couple to which Chip replied, “Well I appreciate that.. sincerely. So if you admire and appreciate us so much. Any chance there’s more to this? But that’s my point.. no one knows. But the ‘Christians’ have certainly come out in full force as if they do know.. ‘judge not….’ ‘Love one another’ its not difficult.”

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We all know religious folk specifically evangelicals are the biggest hypocrites. They will quote you down with phrases from a book of fairy tales that has been changed more times than an average person changes their underwear in order to justify their hate towards others. But the never practice what they "preach."

People like Billy Graham's son never had any intent of watching this show. A lot of people like him jump on the anti-DEI bandwagon in a way to bring attention to themselves, when all they did was get people like myself who had no idea this show even existed interested in watching Back to the Frontier.

So thank you Christian bigots for the free promotion.