Chip and Joanna Gaines, a popular home improvement power couple, have faced backlash from some Christians after featuring a gay couple on their new show “Back to the Frontier.” The decision to include Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs, a married same-sex couple, in the show sparked outrage among evangelical community leaders.
Notable pastors and media personalities, including Franklin Graham, took to social media to condemn the Gaineses for allegedly shirking their Christian values. Graham wrote on X that promoting homosexuality is sin and that God’s design for marriage is between one man and one woman. He claimed that supporting homosexuals buying kids was an “understatement.”
However, Chip Gaines responded with a Bible verse from 1 Peter 3:15, encouraging viewers to give an answer to the hope they have with gentleness and respect. Joanna Gaines also expressed her own emotional response to the show’s themes, saying it felt like a spiritual experience for the families involved.
The backlash comes as no surprise, given the couple’s long history of being open about their Christianity. They have gained a large following through their TV shows, books, and home goods line, but some fans have been critical of their views on politics and social issues.
Despite the controversy, Chip and Joanna Gaines remain committed to their faith and have encouraged viewers to watch “Frontier” with an open mind. The show’s premiere has sparked a wider debate about representation and inclusion in media, particularly among Christian audiences.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2025/07/15/chip-joanna-gaines-backlash-gay-couple-back-to-the-frontier/85205271007