HGTV is currently one of the biggest cable networks out there, and this has led to more scrutiny regarding the personal lives of the reality TV personalities that help the cable network to bring home the bacon. Possibly the most popular of these personalities are Chip and Joanna Gaines, the lively two leads of Fixer Upper who had to deal with a mini controversy when a Buzzfeed writer tried to connect the outspoken and anti-gay beliefs of the pastor of the church the Gaines' attend with the Gaines' own personal beliefs. In the days following the release of the rather pointed article, the Gaines mostly stayed quiet about how they really feel, personally, but now Chip Gaines has finally addressed what happened and how they are moving forward.
In a pretty lengthy and open article that can be found on the website for the couples' popular Magnolia Market, Chip Gaines explains that he and his wife know that the past year has been difficult for a lot of folks. He also says that he and his wife are often not on the same page about particular issues, and that if he and his wife can't always agree, he understands it would be nearly impossible for people around the country and the world to be on the same page. However, he also says the situation isn't hopeless.
You wanna talk about how to build bridges between people that disagree? We want to be a part of that conversation. Do you want to talk about healing and compassion and kindness and restoration? We're in the restoration business, we can for sure make time for that.
The original article, which went up several weeks before Chip's response, has taken some flack since it was posted, mostly because it really stretches to try to make connections between what the Gaines' believe and what their pastor has stated in public and then it tries to connect those two ideas to the fact that HGTV itself may not be doing enough for the LGBT community. The cable network has already made a statement that notes the channel does not discriminate against anyone by sexual orientation, and that seemed to be the end of the matter for a time. However, it seems Chip simply took his time crafting a response before he got out what he and Joanna really feel.
Here's the additional major crux of what he has to say:
Our family wants to fight for a world that knows how to lovingly disagree. We believe it starts when we operate from a position of love in all things. If your position only extends love to the people who agree with you, we want to respectfully challenge that position. We propose operating with a love so real and true that you are willing to roll up your sleeves and work alongside the very people that are most unlike you. Fear dissolves in close proximity. Our stereotypes and vain imaginations fall away when we labor side by side. This is how a house gets unified.
This isn't the first time that Chip and Jojo have had to deal with disagreements and difficulties, and it likely won't be the last, but we doubt it will slow down their HGTV series, either. Fixer Upper is currently airing its fourth season on HGTV. You can catch new episodes on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET. Here's when the rest of your favorite TV shows are returning.
