Chip Gaines Responds to Backlash Over Gay Couple's Casting on New Show
Chip and Joanna Gaines, the popular HGTV personalities who created their own TV network and have a massive following from Evangelical Christians, are facing criticism over a casting decision for their new HBO Max docuseries, Back to the Frontier.
The new series, from the couple's Magnolia Network, features three couples living as 1800s homesteaders. Among the couples includes Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs, a same-sex couple who have two sons.
The decision to cast the Hanna-Riggs family cast drew immediate criticism from Chip and Joanna's own fan base. Preacher Franklin Graham notably went on X and voiced his dismay.
"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," he tweeted. "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."
Ed Vitagliano, vice president of the American Family Association, called the casting disappointing.
Not a single phone in sight. Just three families living in the moment.
— Magnolia Network (@magnolianetwork) July 11, 2025
The season premiere of #BackToTheFrontier is streaming now on @HBOMax and #MagnoliaNetwork. pic.twitter.com/vywCqHu2Io
“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," the organization tweeted.
After hearing the criticism, Chip swung back.
"Talk, ask [questions], listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never," he tweeted. "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."
One person replied to the tweet, "We are extremely sad because of how much we have grown to admire and appreciate you both," to which Chip responded with, "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' it's not difficult."