Chip Gaines responds to faith-based criticism over LGBTQ couple on HGTV

Chip and Joanna Gaines are facing controversy after choosing to feature a same-sex couple on their latest HGTV series, "Back to the Frontier."

According to Breitbart, the episode sparked backlash from conservative segments of their audience, leading Chip Gaines to publicly challenge what he described as intolerance within modern American Christian culture.

The couple, known for their HGTV success and promotion of family-friendly, faith-based values, profiled Joe Riggs and Jason Hanna, two fathers raising children together. This spotlighting of an LGBTQ family drew criticism from fans who felt the couple’s inclusion was inconsistent with traditional Christian programming.

“Back to the Frontier,” the Gaineses' new series, aims to showcase individuals and families building lives in rural America. Riggs and Hanna said they saw their participation as a powerful opportunity to represent diverse family models, especially same-sex parents in conservative areas.

“We felt the show was an opportunity to put ourselves out there and help normalize families like ours,” Riggs and Hanna said in a joint statement. They added that their appearance brought much-needed visibility to LGBTQ families on mainstream platforms.

Critics Express Disappointment Over Representation

Not all viewers welcomed the inclusion. Some fans voiced their disappointment on social media, interpreting the episode as an effort to normalize same-sex parenting—something they viewed as divergent from the Gaineses’ long-standing image.

The reaction intensified over concerns that a same-sex couple featured on a family-oriented, Christian-influenced show could signal an ideological shift. Online forums and comment threads were filled with messages accusing the hosts of compromising their values to appease wider audiences.

Jason Hanna responded on Instagram, emphasizing the personal importance of visibility. “Representation matters deeply,” Hanna wrote, “especially for those who are still finding the courage to live their truth.”

Chip Gaines Offers Blunt Response to Critics

Following days of public debate, Chip Gaines addressed the controversy with critical remarks aimed at a portion of the Christian community. He urged followers to adopt a more open-minded and compassionate outlook rather than resort to quick judgment.

“Talk, ask [questions], listen... maybe even learn,” Gaines posted online. "Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never,” he added, sparking both praise and backlash.

He continued with a pointed reflection, writing, “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.”

Ongoing Conversation Within the Faith Community

This isn’t the first time the Gaineses’ relationship with the LGBTQ community has been examined. In 2021, the couple was accused of promoting anti-LGBTQ views, a characterization Joanna Gaines publicly denied.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she expressed frustration over these labels, saying they did not accurately reflect her or Chip’s beliefs. “That’s the stuff that really eats my lunch — because it’s so far from who we really are,” she said.

The Gaineses' image has long been shaped by their stance on family, faith, and traditional values, which have played a major role in the branding of their Magnolia media empire.

The Gaineses Stand By Their Guest Choice

Despite the backlash, Chip and Joanna have not removed or altered the segment featuring Riggs and Hanna. The couple has remained firm in their support of sharing different stories that reflect a broader experience of American life.

Riggs and Hanna, for their part, remain hopeful the episode will help foster conversations rooted in empathy. “When families like ours are visible,” Hanna shared, “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,” Hanna said, reinforcing the emotional impact of their televised appearance.

While the debate around the episode continues online, the Gaineses' decision has drawn a line between segments of their audience—highlighting differing expectations around faith, media representation, and cultural values.