Chip and Joanna Gaines, home improvement experts and hosts of the megahit reality show “Fixer Upper,” have long been darlings of the faith community. The Gaines' are beloved by many viewers for their strong family values and their outspoken Christian faith.
But their new show, “Back to the Frontier,” features something viewers weren't necessarily expecting: a gay couple. And religious television fans are not happy about this depiction of an American family that doesn't align with their biblical views.
But now Christian community is crying foul on a pair they once idolized, accusing them of turning their back on the faith-based community that made them so popular in the first place.
Christians React
Back to the Frontier follows three families as they live life on a 19th-century style homestead. Among those featured are two married dads and their twin sons.
Once this detail was made public, the backlash was swift.
Reverend Franklin Graham called the decision "very disappointing... Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin." In a matter of days, his Facebook post decrying the couple’s newfound inclusivity garnered more than 225,000 reactions and nearly 40,000 comments.
Graham wasn’t the only conservative Christian upset at the apparent about-face. Across the internet, people of faith had strong reactions… most of them negative.
Was This a Betrayal?
Permeating the many reactions was a profound sense of betrayal. “This is sad and disappointing, because Chip and Joanna Gaines have been very influential in the evangelical community,” stated vice president of the American Family Association Ed Vitagliano.
“Moreover, in the past, they have stood firm on the sanctity of marriage regardless of the personal cost that has entailed. 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.”
Chip and Jo Strike Back
As the controversy continues to rage, Chip took to Twitter/X to encourage his fellow Christians to open their hearts and minds, while also lambasting what he called the “judge first” approach of many religious fans.
Critics were eager to respond to this message:
In response to another user on that thread expressing her disappointment in the couple, Chip plainly stated, “‘judge not….’ ‘Love one another’ it's not difficult.”
When pressed by another user why he’s “promoting homosexuality as a Christian,” Chip merely responded with a Bible verse. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord,” Chip retorted. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15.”
The decision to show a gay couple was seemingly intentional – a purposeful change from “Fixer Upper,” which faced criticism for never featuring same-sex couples.
And others spoke up to defend the couple:
It would seem that for many of the Gaines' Christian fans, however, merely seeing a queer couple on television is enough for them to change the channel... and potentially write off Chip and Jo forever.
That’s the tension at the heart of this backlash: Is showing a same-sex couple on television the same as endorsing their love? And does putting a gay family on TV automatically go against Christian values?
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