We first commented on the Gaines / God controversy with our post Can Chip And Joanna Fix This Argument Like They Do Homes? at the heart of the argument is that Chip and Joanna were looked down upon via a BuzzFeed post stating that they went to an Anti-Gay church. Could this be true? Hosts of "Fixer Upper," one of the hottest shows on HGTV, are anti-LGBT? Say it ain't so!
And that is where the argument was left. We were saying it ain't so, but the Gaines family was not really saying much, until now.
Borrowing Joanna's blog space, Chip releases a lengthy New Years Resloution Revelation. Here is an excerpt as to what many are saying addresses the anti-gay finger pointing.
This past year has been tough. In my lifetime, I can’t recall humanity being more divided. Plenty of folks are sad and scared and angry and there are sound bites being fed to us that seem fueled by [judgment], fear and even hatred. Jo and I refuse to be baited into using our influence in a way that will further harm an already hurting world, this is our home. A house divided cannot stand.
If there is any hope for all of us to move forward, to heal and to grow – we have got to learn to engage people who are different from us with dignity and with love. Joanna and I have personal convictions. One of them is this: we care about you for the simple fact that you are a person, our neighbor on planet earth. It’s not about what color your skin is, how much money you have in the bank, your political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, nationality or faith. That’s all fascinating, but it cannot add or take away from the reality that we’re already pulling for you. We are not about to get in the nasty business of throwing stones at each other, don’t ask us to cause we won’t play that way.
It seems actually the entire blog entry addresses the BuzzFeed fed debate.
Below is the entire piece from Joanna Gaines blog spot over on MagnoliaMarket.com
What do you think of Chip's statement?
Was it good enough for you?
Did he need to say anything at all?
If they were anti-LGBT, would you still watch them anyway?
Jo and I sometimes don’t see eye to eye on stuff. She looks at something one way and in her gut she thinks she’s right and I look at it an entirely different way. I wish that she could get with the program and just see things the way that I do. (Of course, I’m kidding – we all know Jo’s usually right.) If Joanna and I, who are best friends, don’t see lots of things the same way – how on earth do we expect a world of strangers to magically align? The reality is, we may not all get on the same page and I think that’s okay.
This past year has been tough. In my lifetime, I can’t recall humanity being more divided. Plenty of folks are sad and scared and angry and there are sound bites being fed to us that seem fueled by judgement, fear and even hatred. Jo and I refuse to be baited into using our influence in a way that will further harm an already hurting world, this is our home. A house divided cannot stand.
If there is any hope for all of us to move forward, to heal and to grow – we have got to learn to engage people who are different from us with dignity and with love. Joanna and I have personal convictions. One of them is this: we care about you for the simple fact that you are a person, our neighbor on planet earth. It’s not about what color your skin is, how much money you have in the bank, your political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, nationality or faith. That’s all fascinating, but it cannot add or take away from the reality that we’re already pulling for you. We are not about to get in the nasty business of throwing stones at each other, don’t ask us to cause we won’t play that way.
In 2017: We have decided to change the conversation.
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.
I think we are all here for a reason. I think we all have a call on our lives. Your role is not my role, and thank goodness, because there is so much unique and important work to be done. Jo and I feel called to be bridge builders. We want to help initiate conversations between people that don’t think alike. Listen to me, we do not all have to agree with each other. Disagreement is not the same thing as hate, don’t believe that lie.
Also, let’s cut each other a little slack. This living out loud thing is not for the faint of heart. Jo and I don’t want to hide, we want to live brave & bold lives and we wish that same thing for you as well. But words can cut deep and having someone misunderstand your intentions can hurt as much as just about anything. If I misjudge people and am wrong, I want to be wrong having assumed the best about them. The bottom line is, I would rather be loving than be right.
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.
Think about it for a minute: This could be one of the greatest restoration stories of all time.
Who’s ready to get to work?
– See more at magnoliamarket.com
It is one thing to have
It is one thing to have personal convictions. All of us may have beliefs that we espouse and as long as they are not illegal and no action is taken to harm anyone, that's fine. But the issue is whether as a consumer, I can support a show whose hosts may very well be anti-LGBT? Because HGTV has an obligation to its viewers to demonstrate tolerance and non discrimination. The truth has come out of the closet relative to the Gaines. Given where they live, etc., it shouldn't come as such a surprise. But, have they been vocally anti-LGBT? I have not heard that. Have they helped others? It looks like it. Maybe HGTV should do a segment of the show in Baltimore or some other city? If the Gaines turned down LGBT couples, that would make a difference, but there has been no proof to that effect. As an atheist, I think ALL religions are weird, but I have no wish to spurn family members or others because they need to believe in a god(s). That is their prerogative and it's none of my business, again as long as there is no harm. To do otherwise in my opinion is also intolerant. We really have to lighten up and be more tolerant. By modeling tolerance, perhaps churches that preach what I think is major offensive beliefs will lose their congregations. We need to engage, not dismiss; listen, not dictate; love, not hate; and maybe then our world will get better. Right now, it's hurting badly. I am strongly supportive of LGBT rights and all human rights. Being tolerant doesn't undermine or negate my support, in fact I think it strengthens it. However, if the Gaines use their "celebrity" status to voice anti-LGBT ideology, then they have crossed a line, and I cannot support them or HGTV for carrying their show.
I appreciate Chip’s blog and
I appreciate Chip's blog and what I accept as his sincerity. I will continue to watch and follow the show as long as I do believe it. For those of us who are gay, we walk the fine line between calling to account those who are haters, homophobes, bigots, zealots … and yet allowing good people to find whatever solace in their religion that supports their life. Where I disagree with Chip here is in his repeated references to "disagreements". If that refers to the LGBT community and any church doctrine, there is no room for disagreement, any more than there is no room for inequality among the human race. If someone, anyone, believes in the teaching of a church that says we LGBT humans are less than, worse than, deserve less than, are more sinful than … or any other "than" … than the Gaines do … then that isn't a disagreement. They are wrong. Disagreements, despite the Trumpian view of facts, deal with differing views of the same facts. Gay individuals exist. Hopefully they live. We are every bit as worthy, valuable and valued, loving, and essential as the Gaines or any others on this planet. Churches, religions, and individuals who even choose to discuss any alternative to that are wrong. I choose to believe that Chip Gaines agrees with that.
If they attend and
If they attend and financially support an organization that supports and enforces antigay policies, AND they don't actively urge change in those policies, then what weight does this blog statement have?
I am gay and I have family
I am gay and I have family members who are in big mega churches. Some are wanting to change the conversation on LGTBQ and others dont want to discuss anything. I think that we should give Chip and Joanna Grimes some room for even being open to change the dialog. Its not as easy in the churches for many reasons, most of the reasons are fear, and lack of the LGBTQ community wanting to engage. There are many out there, Gay Christian Network, Matthew Vines, Kathy Baldock, John Smid, Tim Rymel, Mel White, and many many others who are engaged on a daily basis for LGBTQ acceptance in the churches. Lets support their efforts, along with the Gaines. More Love, less hate.
But what did he actually say?
But what did he actually say?
I admire his statement. We
I admire his statement. We don't need to know anything more than this. He is a human being who supports other human beings through compassion. You don't have to agree with someones lifestlye in order to have compassion for them. I don't understand people who use Gods name to support their personal predjudices and hatred..but I still have compassion for them. We are all God's children..adn if you don't believe in God..then we are all human beings. Made of the same stuff.
They need to fix up homes for
They need to fix up homes for gay couples!
What gay wants to live in
What gay wants to live in Waco TX
I agree with you 100%. I have
I agree with you 100%. I have gay friends from Texas who bounced from that state as son as they could. I understand that the large cities are ok, especially Austin, but rural Texas is a miserable place for a gay to live….
He most certainly answered
He most certainly answered the question, Neither him or his wife judge others. I adore this couple and and want to thank them for their response.
Do they love members of the
Do they love members of the LGBT community as they are or do they show their "love" by torturing them with conversion therapy? He doesn't directly answer the straight forward question.
It's a simple question; do you accept and support LGBT people as they are or do you support those that hate us and would do us harm?