You probably saw the headlines. Or maybe you saw the vitriol on X (formerly Twitter). In 2025, a reality show called Back to the Frontier—produced by the golden couple of home renovation, Chip and Joanna Gaines—dropped on Max and the Magnolia Network. It seemed like your standard "fish out of water" historical experiment. Three modern families, one 1880s homestead, no Wi-Fi, and a lot of mud.
But for Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs, the "pioneer life" was the easy part. The real storm happened back in the 21st century.
When the Gaineses cast Jason, Joe, and their two sons, it ignited a cultural firestorm that felt like a throwback to 2004. People were "canceling" their Magnolia subscriptions. Franklin Graham was posting warnings. But if you think this was just some tactical "woke" casting choice by a TV network, you’re missing the actual story. Honestly, Jason and Joe have been fighting for their seat at the table for over a decade. Long before they were harvesting wheat in Calgary for the cameras, they were fighting the state of Texas just to be called "Dad."
The Legal Battle You Didn't See on TV
Most people watching Back to the Frontier saw a polished, capable couple. But the back-story of Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs is actually a legal thriller. Back in 2014, when their twin sons Lucas and Ethan were born via a gestational surrogate, the world was a different place. Especially in Texas.
Each man is the biological father of one twin. Genetically, they are half-brothers. But when the boys were born, a Fort Worth judge flat-out refused to let the fathers co-adopt. Texas didn't recognize same-sex marriage yet. The judge even refused to remove the surrogate from the birth certificate, despite her having no biological link to the kids.
It was a mess. A scary one.
"Technically, I don't have any legal rights at all," Joe told interviewers at the time. He was talking about Jason’s biological son. If something happened to Jason, the state could have stepped in. It took years, multiple court filings, and a massive amount of DNA evidence before a different judge finally granted them parental rights in 2015.
👉 See also: Dave's Hot Chicken Waco: Why Everyone is Obsessing Over This Specific Spot
So, when critics claim they are "pushing an agenda" on a reality show, it’s worth remembering: they spent years just trying to get the government to admit they were a family. They aren't new to the "controversy" game. They’ve been living it since the hospital nursery.
Why the Gaineses Took the Heat
The Magnolia brand is built on a very specific image. Shiplap, farmhouse sinks, and "traditional" values. When Chip and Joanna Gaines featured Jason and Joe, some fans felt like their favorite cozy blanket had been snatched away.
Chip didn't back down, though. He took to social media to defend the casting, basically saying that representation matters. And he's right. For Jason and Joe, appearing on the show wasn't about being "activists" in the way people think. It was about being boring.
They wanted to show that a two-dad family deals with the same 1880s problems as everyone else. Cows that won't behave? Check. Trying to figure out how a wood-burning stove works? Check. Exhaustion? Triple check.
The Real Frontier Experience
The show was filmed near Calgary, and it wasn't "glamping." They were repairing shacks and farming. Interestingly, the historical accuracy of the show actually highlighted some weird gender dynamics.
In one episode, Jason talked about being forced into the "woman's role" of the 1880s. While Joe was out in the fields doing the heavy labor, Jason was managing the homestead, the animals, and the cooking. He admitted it gave him a massive appreciation for what 19th-century women actually did. They weren't just "housewives"; they were the literal engine of the farm.
✨ Don't miss: Dating for 5 Years: Why the Five-Year Itch is Real (and How to Fix It)
The Teddy Bear Party and Giving Back
Outside of TV, the couple is deeply rooted in the Dallas community. If you live in North Texas, you’ve probably heard of the Teddy Bear Party.
This started in 2009 as a small holiday gathering at Jason’s house. It was just a way to bring friends together. But then, Jason’s mother, Kaye, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She died just four months later. To honor her, the party turned into a massive fundraiser for children’s health and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
We’re talking thousands of teddy bears donated to kids in hospitals. They’ve raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for groups like:
- Children’s Health in Dallas
- Equality Texas
- Family Equality Council
- Stand Up 2 Cancer
It's a reminder that their "influence" isn't just about Instagram filters or 2_Dallas_Dads posts. It’s grounded in some pretty heavy personal loss and a desire to make sure other families don't have to fight the legal battles they did.
What People Get Wrong About Their "Agenda"
The biggest misconception is that Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs are trying to "redefine" anything. Spend five minutes on their social media, and you’ll see it’s mostly just... parenting. It’s ice cream outings, pool days, and the chaotic energy of raising 11-year-old boys.
They’ve been together for 15 years. They’ve been married since 2013 (originally tying the knot in D.C. when Texas wouldn't allow it). They have corporate day jobs—Jason in private equity and Joe in enterprise risk management.
🔗 Read more: Creative and Meaningful Will You Be My Maid of Honour Ideas That Actually Feel Personal
They aren't "TV characters." They are parents who happen to have a platform.
The backlash to Back to the Frontier says more about the audience than it does about the family. In 2026, the idea that a same-sex couple is "shocking" feels a bit dated, but for a large segment of the Magnolia audience, it was a bridge too far. Yet, the numbers don't lie. Their following grew after the premiere. People are curious. People want to see families that look like theirs, or at least families that are navigating the same struggles of modern (and ancient) life.
How to Support Diverse Representation
If you’re looking for ways to support the causes Jason and Joe care about, or if you’re just navigating your own family’s legal journey, there are actual resources that helped them.
- Family Equality: This is a go-to for LGBTQ+ families looking for legal resources and community support. They were instrumental in the Hanna-Riggs case.
- The Teddy Bear Party: If you're in the Dallas area during the holidays, this is the place to be. You can donate bears or funds to help local children's hospitals.
- Local Advocacy: Don't ignore state-level politics. The reason Jason and Joe had to fight so hard was due to specific Texas statutes that have since been challenged but still influence how family law is practiced in various "red" states.
At the end of the day, Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs are just two guys who wanted to see if they could survive the 1880s without a robot vacuum. Turns out they could. And they did it while the whole world was watching and, in many cases, rooting for them to fail. They didn't. They’re still here, still dads, and still proving that "family" looks a lot of different ways—even on the frontier.
Next Steps for You
If you want to understand the legal hurdles of modern family building, look into the specific surrogacy and adoption laws in your state, as they vary wildly. You can also follow the @2_Dallas_Dads account to see the reality of their post-frontier life and stay updated on the next Teddy Bear Party fundraiser.