In today’s landscape of reality TV, it’s no longer just about drama and competition — it’s about who gets seen.
And now, HGTV’s beloved home-reno power couple, Chip and Joanna Gaines, are finding themselves in the center of a cultural firestorm for making space at the table for voices that haven’t always been welcomed in evangelical circles.
Their new Magnolia Network series, “Back to the Frontier,” was meant to be a nostalgic, rugged throwback.
But it’s become something else entirely — a national conversation.
A Show Meant for Pioneer Living Includes a Modern Twist
“Back to the Frontier” isn’t your typical reality competition.
The show drops three families into the Canadian Rockies and challenges them to live like it’s the 1880s.
No phones, no electricity, no running water — just hard work, livestock, and survival skills.
The twist that’s sparked the controversy? One of the families is headed by a gay couple — Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs, who are married with twin sons.
Their inclusion, while powerful for representation, hasn’t landed well with a portion of the Gaineses’ traditionally Christian audience.
Faith-Based Viewers Respond with Outrage
For many, especially in conservative Christian communities, Chip and Joanna Gaines have long been seen as faith-driven role models.
So when the couple gave their stamp of approval to a show that includes an LGBTQ+ family, some fans felt betrayed.
Evangelist Franklin Graham, son of the famed Billy Graham, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his disapproval.
“If this is true,” he wrote, “it is very disappointing… God’s design for marriage is between one man and one woman.”
The American Family Association’s VP Ed Vitagliano echoed the sentiment, claiming that the show “promotes an unbiblical view of human sexuality, marriage, and family.”
Others online accused the Gaineses of “compromising their Christian values” and called them “sellouts” for allegedly catering to more progressive media platforms like HBO.
Chip Gaines Responds to the Backlash
Chip didn’t remain silent. Instead, he pushed back — not with anger, but with a challenge.
“Talk, ask questions, listen… maybe even learn,” he posted on X, criticizing what he called a culture of judgment over understanding.
He added pointedly: “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.”
He signed off with a peaceful nod to his own values: “On our way to church… Y’all enjoy this beautiful Sunday!”
Meet the Couple at the Center of the Controversy
Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs say they signed up for the show with a mission: to show that LGBTQ+ families are just families — full stop.
In an interview with Queerty, they spoke openly about their experience living frontier-style and the surprising history they discovered.
“We learned that queer homesteaders actually existed back in the 1880s,” said Joe.
“It was a way for people to escape city life and be themselves in private. That kind of resilience was inspiring.”
They also reflected on the challenges of embracing traditional gender roles during filming.
Jason, who took on more of the “female” role in the home, admitted he came away with a whole new respect for frontier women.
“They were the backbone of everything — from gardening to raising kids, to cooking and laundry. It was nonstop.”
Critics Question the Gaineses’ Christian Image
Many of the most pointed criticisms have taken direct aim at the Gaineses’ faith.
Online commenters accused them of “redefining family” and “turning their backs on biblical truth.”
Some even went so far as to suggest they were damaging the image of Christianity.
“Stop pretending you’re Christians,” one person wrote.
“You’re dragging the name of Christ through the mud.”
Others expressed disappointment rather than anger, saying they had looked up to the Gaineses and now felt let down.
What the Show Is Really About
Despite the controversy, Back to the Frontier is quietly racking up views on both HBO Max and Magnolia Network.
The official synopsis describes it as a gritty test of endurance: “Three American families leave the 21st century behind and attempt to survive as 1880s homesteaders – without running water or electricity.
They tackle historical challenges and learn the skills that frontier families needed to survive a long winter.”
What it’s become, however, is a flashpoint in the ongoing debate about what it means to be Christian, inclusive, and culturally relevant in today’s America.
Standing Between Two Worlds
For Chip and Joanna Gaines, who have always walked a tightrope between fame and faith, this latest chapter might be their most delicate balancing act yet.
They’ve built their empire on clean design, family values, and Southern charm.
But with this show, they’ve chosen to lean into a bigger question — who deserves to be part of that picture?
And as the culture wars rage on, one thing is clear: even the most wholesome of stars can’t escape the weight of representation in 2025.