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Fox News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Chip Gaines responds to backlash after Magnolia Network reality show features same-sex family
Former HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines are facing backlash for their new reality show which features a same-sex couple. "Back to the Frontier," a show about three American families who attempt to survive as 1880s homesteaders, debuted on HBO Max on July 10. The Gaines are executive producers of the Magnolia Network series, the cable network they co-founded with Warner Bros. Discovery, which was promoted as featuring "family-friendly unscripted programming." After clips of the show were shared on social media, the Gaines' were criticized by conservative Christian pastors, organizations and media commentators over the show casting two Texas dads and their 10-year-old twin sons, who were born via a surrogate. Critics claimed the Gaines were promoting an anti-biblical lifestyle while they'd built a media empire professing their Christian faith. Reverend Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, called the casting decision "very disappointing." "While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of God's Word," he wrote on social media. "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, said the move was "sad and disappointing" from the couple who've 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. 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," he added in a statement posted to X. Chip Gaines' July 10 social media post promoting the show was also flooded with thousands of negative comments. He responded to the backlash on Sunday. "Talk, ask qustns [sic], listen.. maybe even learn," he told critics. "Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st [sic], understand later/never." "It's a sad sunday [sic] when 'non believers' have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian," he added with a "heartbreak" emoji. Gaines also responded to Joel Berry, managing editor of Christian satirical news website The Babylon Bee, who asked Gaines to "filter out some of the online vitriol and consider taking to heart some of the substantive concerns and heartbreak from the Christians who make up your fanbase." "Don't be sad Joel.. plenty of other stuff out there," Gaines replied. "I'm sure everyone will be fine. BUT I sincerely appreciate the advice about taking some of the thoughtful, heartfelt, encouraging constructive criticism to heart.. and I certainly will." Magnolia Network representatives did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Manx same-sex parental rights law 'means the world'
An upcoming change in law "means the world" to one same-sex couple who will get equal parental rights to their son for the first time. The Isle of Man's Reproductive Rights Bill 2024 is currently awaiting royal ascent after passing through all its key stages in Walsey and Gemma Guildford have a four-year-old son together, but only Zoe has legal responsibility for said if her wife died she would "have no responsibility and no rights, which is terrifying". The private members bill was introduced by Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Tanya August-Phillips who hopes to bring laws in line with the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act on the island where a couple have a baby via sperm donation, the donor is automatically "regarded as the father of any child born as a result".Under the proposed new laws couples in the same position would be treated in the same way as heterosexual couples. Zoe and Gemma had their son in 2021 when Gemma was documented on his birth certificate as an "informant", which was akin to being a witness, they said the lack of responsibility could have serious implications "if the worst should happen" which had given her "a low-level anxiety"."I have no responsibility and no rights, which is terrifying... I have lost sleep over it, definitely," she said. 'I'm no less a parent' While Zoe gave birth to their son, Gemma said they started the journey to becoming a family-of-three together, "so I'm no less a parent".Now the new legislation is on its journey to becoming law, the pair said: "It means the world." Gemma said: "There shouldn't be any argument about homosexuality we are in 2025 still fighting, it's crazy". MLC August-Phillips brought the bill forward last year, saying it was something that had been "hanging around" for three administrations. She said it "fell down to the bottom of the list" of priorities due to heavy workloads and "limited resources"."For the individuals that are involved they are the people that are driving this," she said, adding the delay had been "deeply unfair". The government was first made aware of the issue in 2011, when the then pregnant Sue Harper realised her partner Sarah would not have the same rights to their said she "had to do something" and approached government, and has been "pushing and pushing and pushing" for more than a decade to get the law said: "We did joke when we started this that [our daughter] would be in school by the time it got through. She is now 10 and we have another one, who is five."Looking ahead to "when the law changes, not if" she said the family would "dress up" and come to the civil registry office and "hopefully be the first" to update their children's birth certificates."There'll be a day off work, a day off school, and there will be champagne," she added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
