Chip Joanna Gaines Face Conservative Backlash Over Gay Couple On HBO Max Show

Chip and Joanna Gaines, known for their HGTV hit Fixer Upper and their Magnolia Network, are facing significant backlash from conservative Christian figures after featuring a gay married couple and their children on their new reality show Back to the Frontier. The show, described as a social experiment where families live as 1880s homesteaders without modern conveniences, has sparked outrage primarily among right-wing commentators and religious leaders who view the inclusion of a same-sex family as a betrayal of traditional values. Despite criticism from figures such as Franklin Graham and others who see this as contrary to their Christian beliefs, the Gaineses have stood firm, emphasizing inclusivity and expressing that they are not troubled by the backlash. A source close to the couple noted that they have always believed in doing what they feel is right rather than yielding to traditionalist pressures, and Joanna Gaines has spoken out against accusations of intolerance. The controversy highlights the tension between the Gaineses' faith-based roots in the Bible Belt and their broader appeal to a national audience with more progressive social values. Overall, the Gaineses continue to navigate this divide with a commitment to inclusivity while maintaining their media empire.