HGTV star Chip Gaines is pushing back against a backlash after he and his wife Joanna featured a same-sex couple on their new series, Back to the Frontier.
Chip and his wife have created a TV empire by presenting themselves as devout Christians and built an audience of faith-based fans, but the inclusion of the gay couple in their new series has shocked that fan base. And many have expressed their dismay in social media posts.
Many fans are upset that Gaines is attempting to normalize the idea of gay men adopting children. Indeed, the gay couple featured on the show celebrated their participation for just that reason: the normalization of their proclivities.
Joe Riggs and Jason Hanna told the Dallas Morning News they felt the show was an “opportunity to put ourselves out there and help normalize families like ours.” And in an Instagram post, Hanna added that “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,” he insisted.
Chip Gaines was inundated with complaints from fans. He responded by scolding them for being intolerant.
“Talk, ask [questions], listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never,” he wrote. “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.”
Talk, ask qustns, listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never
— Chip Gaines (@chipgaines) July 13, 2025
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💔
Many, though, did not take kindly to Gaines’ accusations.
And, in CLASSIC modern worldly fasion, @chipgaines
— Christopher G. Adamo (@CGAdamo) July 13, 2025
is committing the exact version of "judging" of which he accuses everyone else! NO Chip! Scripture is absolutely clear on the "right/wrong" components of this situation. Joshua 24:15 still stands! There is no "new…
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…
Maybe you should endeavor to understand the basic moral teachings of your own alleged religion before you give lectures to other people about their lack of understanding
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) July 13, 2025
'Hate' is the language of the secular left. You stray when you describe disagreement with sin as "hate."
— Area Man (@lheal) July 13, 2025
I think another negative aspect of American Christian culture is compromising your confession of faith to gain the world and then acting like a victim when people lament it.
— Hans Fiene 🦬 (@HansFiene) July 13, 2025
I’m sure plenty of people have said vicious things to you lately. That’s lamentable. Don’t let that…
The Gains were accused of being anti-LGBTQ in the past and at that time insisted that the accusations were “so far from the truth.” The couple had been dogged by accusations of being anti-gay, but in 2021 they refuted the claims.
“Sometimes I’m like, ‘Can I just make a statement?’ The accusations that get thrown at you, like you’re a racist or you don’t like people in the LGBTQ community, that’s the stuff that really eats my lunch — because it’s so far from who we really are,” Joanna Gaines told The Hollywood Reporter at the time. “That’s the stuff that keeps me up.”
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