Chip Gaines Vehemently Defends Same-Sex Couple Who Featured in ‘Back to the Frontier’ Amid Brutal Online Backlash

HGTV legend Chip Gaines has spoken out to defend a same-sex couple who featured in his and wife Joanna Gaines‘ new reality series, “Back to the Frontier.”

Chip, 50, seemingly shared a statement of support for Texas duo Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs, after his newly released show came under furious criticism for featuring an LGBTQ+ couple and their children.

The Magnolia Network series, which premiered on July 10, follows three families, including the Hanna-Riggs, and their respective children, as they attempt to live like homesteaders from the 1880s, leaving behind all the comforts of the modern world, like running water and electricity.

Chip and Joanna, who rose to fame starring on the hit HGTV series “Fixer Upper,” did not brave the social experiment themselves, instead enlisting families from across the U.S. to try and prove that the simplest life can also be the most rewarding.

The series has largely been met with positive feedback from viewers—however, it has also faced some bitter criticism from viewers left upset by the Gaines’ decision to feature married couple Jason and Joe, and their 10-year-old sons, in the show.

That criticism appears to have originated with Franklin Graham, the son of Evangelical pastor Billy Graham, who publicly bashed the series’ inclusion of the LGBTQ+ duo, accusing “Back to the Frontier” of “promoting something that God defines as sin.”

“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,” Franklin wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on 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.

Although Chip did not directly respond to Franklin’s post, he appeared to take aim at the criticism in his own statement on X, urging his followers to be open to all people and to “learn” something from their experiences.

“Talk, ask [questions], listen… maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never,” he wrote.

“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.”

Both Jason and Joe showed their appreciation for Chip’s post in their own social media statement, sharing a news story about his quote on Instagram Stories, while writing: “Thank you @chipgaines and @joannagaines for leading with love, listening, and learning.”

They added: “Representation matters deeply—especially for those who are still finding the courage to live their truth. When families like ours are visible, 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.”

Jason and Joe previously spoke to Realtor.com® about the positive experience they had while filming “Back to the Frontier,” which required them to live like homesteaders “for eight weeks, reinforcing their own shelters, raising livestock, collecting food, and rationing their supplies,” according to the network.

The Hanna-Riggs couple explained that they were first inspired to embark on the journey with their children after spotting a flier on social media. Initially, they weren’t entirely aligned on whether to sign up.

“What really inspired me was when I saw the flier on social media, and I saw a gay couple on the front of that flier, and so, looking back, I initially thought it would be a great opportunity for representation for same-sex couples,” Jason explained.

“The other component is that we are so connected to our day-to-day devices that an opportunity to disconnect from modern-day living and really kind of reset in terms of focusing on what’s really important, which is our relationship and our boys, Ethan and Lucas.”

Despite his husband’s enthusiasm, Joe admits that he was “very hesitant” to take part in the experience.

“I was very hesitant, though, like, ‘Why are we going to do this? Why are we going to have no running water, no electricity. Like, ‘What are we signing up for?'” he said.

The Hanna-Riggs family revealed that they walked away from the experience with many lessons that they have adapted into their modern lives.

They emphasized that the experience brought their family closer, admitting that their friends thought they were “crazy” for embarking on the wild journey.

Alongside the Hanna-Riggs family, the series also features Stacey and Joaquin Loper, from Alabama, and Florida natives, Jereme and Lina Hall, all of whom appeared on the show with their kids, with a spokesperson from Magnolia Network explaining that the social experiment was intended to bring all of the families closer together.

“Through this immersive experience, the families will have to reflect on their relationships and navigate the challenges that come with an 1880s lifestyle,” they said.

“This exciting new series invites viewers to step back in time and experience the challenges of the American frontier,” added Magnolia Network President Allison Page.

“By immersing three families in the realities of 1880s life, we provided them—and our viewers—an authentic glimpse into the resilience and grit required to survive. Making this series has been an unforgettable journey, and we trust audiences will find it both captivating and inspiring.”

The series will roll out one episode each week over the course of eight weeks. In the final episode, fans will learn which families succeeded as homesteaders—and which failed to handle the pressure of their retro lifestyle.

In each episode, the families will be seen tackling different challenges and tasks, from sourcing their own food to laundering their clothes by hand—all without any way of connecting to the outside world.

For some, the brutal reality of their new life greeted them as soon as they arrived on set in the Canadian Rockies—and were informed that they had to hand over their clothes, accessories, gadgets, and even beauty products.

Absolutely nothing from the modern world was allowed into the homestead, a separation that caused more than a few tears.