Chip and Joanna Gaines of 'Fixer Upper' Belong to an Anti-Gay Church that Promotes LGBT Conversion

By Courtney Enlow | Celebrity | November 30, 2016 |

Because even HGTV can’t just let things be cool for a goddamn minute.

Joanna and Chip Gaines are two of the biggest stars on HGTV. As the hosts of Fixer Upper, the two have been vocal about their devout Christianity, as well as their devotion to Antioch Community Church, the megachurch they belong to. A church that is a major proponent of LGBT conversion therapy and vehemently against same-sex relationships.

In a new Buzzfeed piece, Kate Arthur reached out to the Gaineses and the otherwise hugely gay-friendly HGTV to ask the couple if they too share these beliefs regarding the LGBT community, or if gay couples would be welcome on Fixer Upper. She received no reply. So she reached out to the couple’s “dear friend” and Antioch Community Church leader, Jimmy Seibert.

Seibert held hard and fast in his beliefs regarding homosexuality.

“Truth No. 1: Homosexuality is a sin. The lie: Homosexuality is not a sin.” He urges compassion for the sinners, though, because “the statistics say that 90% of people who are in a full-blown homosexual lifestyle were abused in some way. Physically, sexually, mentally.” He also says that gay pornography deserves some of the blame. “We have people and young people that never had any intention of a same-sex attraction et cetera, who have seen sexuality up front in pornography and now are trapped in the addiction of it.” But LGBT people have a choice, Seibert says, and can change. “Truth No. 2: God is able to give us power over every sin, including homosexuality. Lie No. 2: I am a homosexual in thought and action, and I cannot change.”

The “choice” and change” Seibert refers to here is known as conversion therapy. Something every respected medical and behavioral health organization has come out against.

“Clinicians should be aware that there is no evidence that sexual orientation can be altered through therapy, and that attempts to do so may be harmful. There is no empirical evidence adult homosexuality can be prevented if gender nonconforming children are influenced to be more gender conforming. Indeed, there is no medically valid basis for attempting to prevent homosexuality, which is not an illness. On the contrary, such efforts may encourage family rejection and undermine self-esteem, connectedness and caring, important protective factors against suicidal ideation and attempts. Given that there is no evidence that efforts to alter sexual orientation are effective, beneficial or necessary, and the possibility that they carry the risk of significant harm, such interventions are contraindicated.” - American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry

“Confusion about sexual orientation is not unusual during adolescence. Counseling may be helpful for young people who are uncertain about their sexual orientation or for those who are uncertain about how to express their sexuality and might profit from an attempt at clarification through a counseling or psychotherapeutic initiative. Therapy directed specifically at changing sexual orientation is contraindicated, since it can provoke guilt and anxiety while having little or no potential for achieving changes in orientation.” - American Academy of Pediatrics

“Psychotherapeutic modalities to convert or ‘repair’ homosexuality are based on developmental theories whose scientific validity is questionable. Furthermore, anecdotal reports of “cures” are counterbalanced by anecdotal claims of psychological harm. In the last four decades, “reparative” therapists have not produced any rigorous scientific research to substantiate their claims of cure. Until there is such research available, [the American Psychiatric Association] recommends that ethical practitioners refrain from attempts to change individuals’ sexual orientation, keeping in mind the medical dictum to first, do no harm. The potential risks of reparative therapy are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior, since therapist alignment with societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce self-hatred already experienced by the patient. Many patients who have undergone reparative therapy relate that they were inaccurately told that homosexuals are lonely, unhappy individuals who never achieve acceptance or satisfaction. The possibility that the person might achieve happiness and satisfying interpersonal relationships as a gay man or lesbian is not presented, nor are alternative approaches to dealing with the effects of societal stigmatization discussed. Therefore, the American Psychiatric Association opposes any psychiatric treatment, such as reparative or conversion therapy which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the a priori assumption that the patient should change his/her sexual homosexual orientation.” - American Psychiatric Association

Not only does there exist no evidence conversation therapy can possibly work, the damage incurred is horrendous, especially when started young.

And starting young is exactly what Seibert wants.

Seibert urges educators in public schools not to accept normalizing same-sex marriage, which will trickle down to “teenage relationships,” and even into kindergarten. He says that teachers should risk being fired. “If they feel you can still work there, so be it. If not, God will have another way for you.”

Even our mindless entertainment is disappointing.