Chip and Joanna Gaines Face Scrutiny for Endorsing LGBTQ Storylines in New TV Project
TV personalities Chip and Joanna Gaines sparked widespread criticism among Christians last week after their new reality series featured a same-sex couple with two sons. Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs, a same-sex couple, appeared on the Gaines' new show, titled "Back To The Frontier", with their two sons, living like 1800s homesteaders. The show premiered on July 10 and is a Magnolia Network series.
The news was met with criticism and concern from Christians on social media, AL.com report.
"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. God loves us, and His design for marriage is between one man and one woman. Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin," Franklin Graham, son of late evangelist Billy Graham, wrote on X.
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
Ed Vitagliano, vice president of the American Family Association, also lamented the news as "sad and disappointing" given that the Gaines "have been very influential in the evangelical community."
"Moreover, in the past, they have stood firm on the sanctity of marriage regardless of the personal cost that has entailed. We aren't sure why the Gaines have reversed course, but we are sure of this: Back to the Frontier promotes an unbiblical view of human sexuality, marriage, and family –– a view no Christian should embrace," Vitagliano said.
Chip and Joanna Gaines’ new show on their Magnolia Network spotlights a same-sex couple and their two sons, drawing concern from Christians who expected the network to uphold biblical values.
— American Family Association (@AmericanFamAssc) July 11, 2025
“This is sad and disappointing, because Chip and Joanna Gaines have been very… pic.twitter.com/LKMupgB6o3
In response, Gaines accused Christians, particularly those of modern American culture, of hate and vitriol.
"Talk, ask qustns, 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," Gaines posted on Sunday.
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💔
Chip and Joanna Gaines, who are professing Christians, are best known for their reality series "Fixer Upper," which aired from 2013 to 2018 on HGTV. In 2021, they further expanded their brand after launching Magnolia Network. The couple have been married since 2003 and have five children together.
In addition to the controversy concerning the gay couple on Gaines' new show, Joanna has been accused of supporting a gay "throuple" consisting of her creative director, Billy Jack Brawner, his wife, and his male partner. Protestia reported that Brawner came out as gay in 2021 despite being married to his wife and children, in which his male partner became the third partner in his marriage.
"I'm in love with a man who is so good. My life is so good, and I am so thankful. No more hate," he said in a post on his now-private Instagram account.
Screenshots taken from the post include a life from Joanna who also commented, "Yes @billyjackbrawner. You are SO good. We love you."
Brawner, who has been freelancing since 2022, has written for the Magnolia Journal, with his work being featured in the Summer 2025 Magnolia Journal as well as two more features in the 2022 Fall Journal. According to his LinkedIn profile, Brawner served as the creative director of media for Magnolia from 2016 to 2021, in which he served as "a key creative partner to Joanna Gaines, helping shape and execute the visual and conceptual direction of the Magnolia brand across print, TV, digital, and product."
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Matt Winkelmeyer/Staff
Originally published July 14, 2025.
