CANADA: Gay Talk Show Host Christopher Hyndman Found Dead In Toronto Alley

CBC News reports:

The body of Christopher Hyndman, co-host of the afternoon talk show Steven & Chris on CBC-TV, was found in an alleyway in Toronto's east end Monday night, police confirm. "It is with profound sadness that we share the news Christopher Hyndman died," said the public broadcaster in a memo distributed to staff Tuesday afternoon. "We extend our deepest sympathies to Steven [Sabados], family, friends and colleagues; our thoughts are with them all." Toronto police told CBC News on Tuesday that Hyndman, 49, was found without vital signs in an alleyway near the intersection of Queen Street and Broadview Avenue shortly after 11 p.m. ET Monday. CBC arts reporter Eli Glasner said the scene was near the apartment where Hyndman lived with Sabados, his off-screen partner and television co-host. Toronto police Det. Terry Wray said the investigation remains "completely open." He added that police would not comment further until completing interviews.

More from the Toronto Star:

Hyndman was co-host of the show with Steven Sabados, who was also his real-life partner. They were co-stars of the original Designer Guys show in 2001 as well as Design Rivals (2003) and So Chic with Steven and Chris (2005) before launching their afternoon talk show. The pair formed the Sabados Group Inc. in 1992, specializing in event planning, product launches and set design, his CBC biography says. A 2013 profile of Hyndman and Sabados by Xtra, then Toronto’s gay newsmagazine, called them “Canada’s gay-lifestyle TV guru couple” whose show Steven and Chris was “a bona fide hit for CBC” and aired in more than 70 per cent of the market on ABC’s Live Well Network. The couple told Maclean’s magazine the same year that they had met in a bar in 1988 when they both were working at CityTV.

Reruns of Steven & Chris have been pulled off the air. Below is the most recent clip posted to the show's YouTube channel.

(Tipped by JMG reader Edward)

TEASER: Zoolander 2

Calvin Klein Campaign Gets Homo Sexty

Via WWD:

Calvin Klein is betting on sexting and Tinder to help fuel the next iteration of its #mycalvins campaign. The predominantly digital program will span 27 markets that will include nontraditional outdoor media, such as large-format static LED screens and street furniture in key global cities like Bangkok, Thailand and São Paulo. The lead image – a same-sex embrace featuring male models Reid Rohling and Ethan James Green – will replace eyewear on the brand’s signature billboard on Houston Street in SoHo here Aug. 3. In-book advertising is slated to run in September books starting in early August and an advertising rollout with Vice Media will begin in the fall in 10 markets. An integrated digital partnership with Tinder will go live in the fall, as well, featuring an in-app campaign giving users the choice to swipe right or left. Paid social media advertising is part of marketing spend, including promoted content on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to reach the brand’s collective 20 million social followers.

(Tipped by JMG reader Alan)

100 Years Of Fashion In Three Minutes

(Tipped by JMG reader Ray)

INDIA: Fashion Ad Stars Lesbian Couple

Ad Week reports:

An Indian clothing company is out with an ad that news reports are billing as the socially conservative country's first to feature a lesbian couple. Anouk and Ogilvy & Mather Bangalore created the spot, in which the couple get ready to meet—and, the ad suggests, come out to—the parents of one of the women. Three and a half minutes long, the spot aims for a casual tone, showing the women in their apartment, putting on makeup and chatting about clothing, hairstyles and their relationship. The tagline, "Bold is beautiful," risks conflating putting on a bright-colored dress with being open about one's sexuality in a highly hostile environment. But the brand deserves credit for aligning itself with a progressive message—the ad seems to be mainly garnering support on YouTube (where it has more than 1.6 million views), even if the spirit of it is lost on the obligatory bigots yelling in all caps in the comments section of articles.

Two years ago the Indian Supreme Court reinstated the criminalization of homosexuality.

Converse Joins The Pride Parade

Yesterday it was Adidas and today it's Converse that steps out with a pride-related shoe line.

The Converse Pride Collection is honored to join the LGBT movement. Any crusade that hits the streets as loud and passionate as this one definitely needs sneakers to fit the occasion. We happily abide. The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Pride hi-tops are adorned with stylish patterns and every color of the rainbow. Each color represents a special meaning to the community. Each step we take brings us closer to universal tolerance and equality.

Memo to Brian Brown: Converse is owned by Nike, the world's largest sporting goods manufacturer. Nike is ranked #111 on the Fortune 500 with annual sales over $25 billion. (Tipped by JMG reader Alan)

AFA Cheers Newly "Family Friendly" A&F;

Via press release from the AFA:

Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has been well known for using highly sexualized marketing techniques to lure young people into its stores...but that's all changed now that the company has ousted former CEO Michael Jefferies. After 13 years of AFA's campaigning against A&F's trashy catalogs, shirtless models and pornographic ads, the company has shed the tawdry image and is now making its stores family friendly. The company has turned up the lights, turned down the music and cut back on the level of colognes that shoppers are forced to breathe. "By the end of July, there will no longer be sexualized marketing used in marketing materials, including in-store photos, gift cards and shopping bags," Abercrombie said in a news release. A research of A&F's website, Facebook page and other social media images already show a refreshing change from just a month ago. Parents, and children alike, will find A&F's offerings respectable and decent. And...the malls just became a bit more comfortable to visit.

Also claiming victory is One Million Moms head Monica Cole: “The posters Abercrombie & Fitch used in their stores had nude models who just had their clothing strategically placed so nothing was seen, but the posters in general were obscene. These posters were removed after our voices were heard."

Iran Bans "Homosexual Hairstyles"

Via the Guardian:

“Homosexual” and “devil worshipping” hairstyles have been banned in Iran, alongside tattoos, sunbed treatments and plucked eyebrows for men, which are all deemed un-Islamic. The move – aimed at spiky cuts – follows a trend where, each summer, Iranian authorities get tough on men and women sporting clothing or hairdos seen as imitations of western lifestyles. In 2010, Iran banned ponytails, mullets and long, gelled hair for men, but allowed 1980s-style floppy fringes or quiffs. Iran’s moderate president, Hassan Rouhani, has spoken against such crackdowns, stating that the police’s duty is to implement the law and not enforce Islam. But hardliners have remained defiant.

Mostafa Govahi, the head of Iran’s barbers’ union, told the semi-official Isna news agency on Monday that fancifully spiked hairstyles were banned and those who styled them risked having their shops closed. He said: “Devil-worshipping hairstyles are forbidden. Any shop that cuts hair in the devil worshipping style will be harshly dealt with and their licence revoked. Tattoos, solarium treatments and plucking eyebrows [for men] are also forbidden.” Govahi said shops who imitate such “western hairstyles” or violate “the Islamic establishment’s regulations” would be shut down if they failed to take an initial warning seriously. “Usually the barber shops who do this do not have a licence. They have been identified and will be dealt with,” he said.

Iran is one of ten countries where homosexual acts are punishable by death.

HomoQuotable - Giorgio Armani

"A homosexual man is a man 100%. He does not need to dress homosexual. When homosexuality is exhibited to the extreme - to say, 'Ah, you know I'm homosexual,' - that has nothing to do with me. A man has to be a man. I don't like muscle boy. Not too much gym. I like somebody healthy, somebody solid, who looks after his body but doesn't use his muscles too much." - Giorgio Armani, speaking to the Sunday Times.

Nearly One Million Apple Watches Sold

And that was just on the first day. Via USA Today:

Nearly 1 million people placed an order for an Apple Watch on the first day it was available, with most going for the cheapest model, a shopping research firm estimated. Slice Intelligence said e-receipt data from 9,080 online shoppers indicate 957,000 people in the U.S. pre-ordered the smartwatch on Friday. On average, they ordered more than 1 watch (1.3), spending an average $503.83 per watch. An estimated 62% purchased the less-expensive Sport model. If they bought the Apple Watch Sport, they spent $382.83 per watch; if they ordered the mid-tier Apple Watch, they spent $707.04. Unlike with past iPhone and iPad launches, Apple did not make the first-generation device available for purchase in its stores.

The watches begin shipping on April 24th.

Levi Strauss & Gap Denounce Indiana

From a joint statement posted last night to the corporate blog of the Gap:

Today Gap Inc. and Levi Strauss & Co. are calling on retail and apparel companies, and other businesses, to join us in speaking out against legalized discrimination. Both of our companies have a long history of standing up for equal rights and equal opportunity for all. We have consistently spoken out against discrimination and unequal treatment based on race, sex or sexual orientation. As Indiana, Arkansas, and states around the country enact and consider legislation that perpetuates discrimination, we’re urging State Legislatures to stand up for equality by repealing and voting against these discriminatory laws. These new laws and legislation, that allow people and businesses to deny service to people based on their sexual orientation, turn back the clock on equality and foster a culture of intolerance. Discriminatory laws are unquestionably bad for business, but more importantly, they are fundamentally wrong. They must be stopped. At Gap Inc. and Levi Strauss & Co., we are proud to say we are open to business for everyone.

(Tipped by JMG reader Dan)

Fran Lebowitz On Drag Queens & Fashion

"The extreme, exaggerated femininity is, for most people, not so great a look. Except for drag queens, because that's what drag queens do. I mean, I always thought it would be much wittier for drag queens to dress in this very drab way. You know, the yoga pants? Well, what if drag queens just really let themselves go, pretending not to try, like most women? But there are no drag queens like that, because drag queens know how to wear clothes. Can you imagine if women tried as hard as drag queens? We'd be a much more attractive culture. I wouldn't have to give out so many yoga pants citations." - Fran Lebowitz, talking fashion with Elle Magazine.

Christian Site Launches Pro-D&G; Petition

From LifeSiteNews:

A host of performers, led by Elton John, have called for a boycott of the Italian designers for “lining up with the Pope and the far-Right in their support for legal discrimination." Elton John and David Furnish, his “husband,” have two IVF children from a surrogate mother in the United States.

Unfortunately this is just the latest example of the increasingly common attacks against entrepreneurs who have dared to speak the “politically incorrect” truth that family and marriage are built upon the union of a man and a woman.

Though we may not necessarily agree with everything they believe or stand for, right now Dolce and Gabbana need encouragement from those who support traditional marriage and the natural family not to cave under the intense pressure that is being put on them by intolerant gay activists. We need people from every sphere of life to speak the truth about marriage and the family, and those who do should be given the support they need to withstand the inevitable attacks that will result.

Ben Shapiro is promoting the petition at TruthRevolt.

BRITAIN: Activists Protest Outside Dolce And Gabbana's Flagship London Store

Bill Donohue On Dolce & Gabbana

"The open-minded ones in New York and Hollywood are having hissy fits over a quip made by Dolce about the kinds of kids their gay friends are raising. Elton John, who was engaged to a woman in the 1960s, married another gal in the 1980s, and then finally settled down with his boyfriend, is furious with Dolce. That’s because Sir Elton, who is no longer Questioning his sexual orientation (the 'Q' in LGBTQ stands for Questioning—if there are two 'Q’s' the other stands for 'Queer'), takes Dolce’s comments to heart: he and his buddy are raising two children who are not, obviously, the result of their homosexual relationship. He is calling for a boycott. The celebs are so angry that some are threatening to burn their Dolce & Gabbana pants. Others are literally apoplectic: they cannot speak. Still others, not knowing whose side to take - all the parties to this controversy are homosexuals - are feverishly waiting it out." - Bill Donohue, reducing David Furnish to a "buddy" in a post for the Catholic League.

Madonna Responds To Dolce & Gabbana

(Tipped by JMG reader Eric)

Tony Perkins Praises Dolce & Gabbana

"The minds behind the world-famous D&G brand have been creating more controversy than clothing lately, as the duo comes clean about their surprisingly conservative views. As expected, celebrities have turned on the pair with a ferocity that took the Italians by surprise. Singer Elton John has been the most vocal, calling Dolce and Gabbana's thinking 'archaic' and demanding a Tinsel town boycott of the popular line. The backlash (one celebrity vowed to set her Dolce on fire) threw the designers for a loop. They're learning, as we all have, that there's no room in the Left's debate for both sides. It was a powerful statement -- one that obviously hit a little too close to home. When it comes right down to it, there's nothing more threatening to the homosexual political movement than homosexual people who tell the truth." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

Glenn Beck Defends Dolce & Gabbana

Right Wing Watch has the transcript:

"Is this the kind of freedom that we're at? Anyone who feels the same as Dolce and Gabbana, let me ask you, are they empowered to express their view or are they now afraid that Hollywood and progressives will come after them? The party of progress is making progress indeed, back to the Dark Ages, back to the days when differing scientific views were labeled heresy and black magic. As the march toward conformity continues, America gets farther and farther away from the place where those who will change the world with art and science and music, those who will bring on the next Renaissance just might find themselves locked up in a tower and sadly never paint the next Mona Lisa."

Dolce & Gabbana Talk To CNN

Embattled billionaire designers Dolce and Gabbana took to CNN this morning for some damage control.

In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, Dolce said his views on IVF were private, personal beliefs based on his sense of a traditional Sicilian family. "I believe in the traditional family," he said. "It is impossible to change my culture for something different. It's me... I respect all the world, all the culture." Dolce said he did not judge people who chose the procedure, although he previously made controversial statements to the Italian magazine, Panorama, referring to IVF babies as "chemistry children and synthetic children."

The initial comments from Dolce and Gabbana struck some as hypocritical coming from a gay couple that was romantically involved until 2005 (they continued working together after the breakup). Dolce's comment was seen as an attack on gay and lesbian families.

But Gabbana said they weren't telling anyone how to live their lives. "We love gay couple. We are gay. We love gay couple. We love gay adoption. We love everything. It's just an express of my private point of view," he said. Dolce told CNN he was not boycotting the artist: "I love the music of Elton John." He said he believed they could end the dispute: "Every people resolve everything by talk... we start to talk, the problem is resolved." The pair said they respected how people chose to live their lives, including the use of IVF, and said others should also respect differences in opinion.

Hit the link for the video.

Andy Cohen Auctions His D&G; Suit

From the eBay listing: "Direct from my personal closet, I am auctioning off a 2014, black, wool Dolce & Gabbana suit. It's got 2 buttons and a few strands of genuine Wacha hair on it. The size is 40 Regular. The suit can be yours and all the money will go to the Family Equality Council, an organization committed to securing family equality for LGBTQ parents, guardians and allies. Even though I loved this suit, it wouldn't be any fun for me to wear it again, but it will be so much fun for me to have you wear it, knowing that we were able to support an amazing cause while also screwing Dolce & Gabbana out of at least one sale."