Chip Gaines asks fans to show 'respect' for BuzzFeed reporter

Chip Gaines, host of the popular HDTV show "Fixer Upper" took to Twitter to request that his fans show "respect" for Kate Arthur, the Buzzfeed reporter who wrote an article that questioned if Gaines and wife Joanna share their church pastor's stance against same-sex marriage.

"Regardless of our decision to make a statement about all this craziness, or not, I ask that people please! respect @KateAurthur & @ginamei," Gaines tweeted. Like Arthur, Cosmopolitan's Gina Mei has also been slammed on social media by fans of the Gaineses for writing a similar story.

Last week, Buzzfeed ran an article on the "Fixer Upper" hosts, highlighting their closeness to pastor Jimmy Seibert of the Antioch Community Church, which the Gaineses attend. The report revived Seibert's statements from his previous sermons, including one that said homosexuality is a "lifestyle" choice and is a "sin." Seibert has also vocally opposed same-sex marriage, emphasizing that the Bible clearly states that marriage is between "one man and one wife."

The article elicited intense reactions, from lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community on one side and the fans of the show on the other.

LGBT groups lobby for HGTV to cancel "Fixer Upper." This is not the network's first time to deal with a similar situation. CBN reports that back in 2014, the network was pressured into canceling a show by brothers Jason and David Benham after the two were attacked for their Christian views on issues such as abortion.

Meanwhile, fans of "Fixer Upper" cried foul over the article, reasoning out that it's not fair for the Gaineses to be criticized by association. Several groups have launched initiatives in support of the couple and their church.

American Family Association's petition requesting that HGTV keeps "Fixer Upper" garnered nearly 88,000 signatories as of Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile, LifeSite News already collected over 21,000 signatures for the option to let HGTV know through a postcard that they stand by the Gaineses.

HGTV has not made any announcement on whether or not it will take down "Fixer Upper," but told FOX411, "We don't discriminate against members of the LGBT community in any of our shows. HGTV is proud to have a crystal clear, consistent record of including people from all walks of life in its series."

As of report writing, the Gaineses have not issued a statement on the issue, except for Chip's call for fans to respect Arthur.