Chip & Joanna Gaines Face Christian Backlash for Casting Gay Couple on ‘Back to the Frontier’
Chip and Joanna Gaines‘s latest reality TV series is facing online criticism for its inclusion of a gay couple.
Back to the Frontier follows three families as they trade in their modern-day comforts for eight weeks to experience what life was like back in the 1880s. The groups face challenges as they are forced to gather their own food, build their own shelter, raise livestock and more. Among the show’s cast are husbands Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs and their 10-year-old twin sons, Ethan and Lucas.
The couple’s casting has been met with backlash from Christians online, as Chip and Joanna are known for their evangelical Christian beliefs. “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,” evangelist Franklin Graham wrote via X on Saturday, July 12. “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.”
Ed Vitagliano, Vice President of the American Family Association, called Hanna and Riggs’ casting “disappointing and sad” in a statement on Friday, July 11. “Chip and Joanna 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,” he said via X. “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.”
Courtesy of Jason Hanna (@2_dallas_dads)/Instagram
Other social media users agreed with the casting controversy. “If it is true…. I’m done with watching them!!” one person wrote via X, while another added, “I wish more TV shows would stop ‘normalizing’ gay relationships.”
Another person tweeted, “I saw it as well. It was quite disappointing. We will NOT be watching.” A different user posted, “One and only one reason!! Money!! They need a new market and LBGT+ is a perfect money making machine.”
Others, however, came to Chip and Joanna’s defense and praised the show’s inclusive casting choice. “Not taking the bait! @chipgaines & @joannagaines, I got your back!” one person wrote via X. Another stated, “Loving everyone is a biblical value. Proud of you @chipgaines and @joannagaines for showing a Jesus who is a big fan of everyone – so much so He gave his life for all of us.”
“Wait a minute…who cares if one of the couples is gay? You don’t know their hearts and you’ve no business telling anyone how to live their lives,” a different user noted, while someone else posted, “God doesn’t care who you love, straight or gay. Let people be. So what if there is a gay couple on C and J Gaines’ show.”
Chip later responded to the negative discourse in a tweet of his own. “Talk, ask qustns [sic], listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never,” he wrote via X on Sunday, July 13. “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💔.”
Hannah also reacted to the drama in a Monday, July 14, Instagram Story post. “Representation matters deeply—especially for those who are still finding the courage to live their truth,” he wrote. “When families like ours are visible, it opens doors for others to feel safe, loved, and validated.”
He continued, “Visibility isn’t just about being seen; it’s about making sure no one feels alone.”
Back to the Frontier, Series Premiere, Thursday, July 10, 2025, 8/7c, Magnolia Network
Conversation7 Comments
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O
Who cares? I’m getting so tired of hearing about the Gaines.
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G
Tempest in a teapot. If you don't like the show, watch something else. Or better yet, read a book.
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F
Frankly, I've never been a fan of Chip and Joanna because while their shows have worked hard to not to focus on their beliefs it was pretty clear to me which way they leaned.
Chip's comment today gives me hope that there are still some people who are intelligent enough to open their minds and hearts to others regardless of who they are, what they believe, and who they love.
I'll be much more inclined to tune into programming on the Magnolia Network now, so while others may be tuning out I'll be tuning in.
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O
What others do in their lives is none of my business but I am not comfortable watching same-sex couples on TV. Amazing Race lost me years ago for this very reason. Just not my cup of tea. For those who are interested, go for it.
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G
As far as God goes, he loves every hair on their heads. As Christians, you should too. You should wish the best for them. They are not the threat you act like they are unless you, or God, is weak. As far as America goes, they are citizens like the rest of us, and belong in every place and every TV show for as long as our constitution holds. Get over being the center of the universe—you are not even if God is.
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Uh, and you so called Christians DIDN'T think gay people existed back then? Says who, huh? If they did, they HAD to hide who they were, least they get seriously injured or killed. Most likely by those same so called Christians that don't like them or want them to exist now.
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O
Clearly these so called Christians are upset because they don't have the kind of bodies that this gay couple has.
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