KELOWNA, B.C. — The mayor of a city in B.C.'s picturesque Okanagan Valley has turned an insult into his own proud, tongue-in-cheek persona.
Colin Basran, now known as Kelowna's "Sugarplum Mayor," is working with the city's Young Professionals Collective to host a Sugarplum Ball on July 9 to show support for the region's LGBTQ community.
The event comes one year after the city installed a rainbow crosswalk at a downtown intersection in an effort to promote inclusion.
But while the crosswalk had unanimous support from city council, it gained unexpected backlash from a few residents.
In an online forum, one community member referred to "Mayor Sugarplum" in an effort to insult Basran for supporting the installation of the crosswalk. The comment had the opposite effect.
"I actually found it kind of funny and I kind of liked it," Basran said.
Recognizing the opportunity to increase support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, Basran said the Okanagan Pride Society approached him with the idea of hosting a Sugarplum Ball.
![](https://media.darpanmagazine.com/library/uploads/news/content/lgbt3@#</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
the event will include two dance floors, locally produced beer and wine, and a lounge with a wig bar and photo booth for attendees to dress up and capture the night.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"this ball is about being whoever you want to be and that's something we want to be promoting in our city," basran said.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
and for basran, that means becoming the sugarplum mayor. as a participant of a drag makeover at the ball, he will be wearing makeup to reflect his character, which he likened to david bowie's 1970s ziggy stardust persona.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
although basran said he will be swapping his usual mayor's attire for a more colourful look to embrace the fun event, he won't be in full drag.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"anyone wanting to see me in a dress and heels is going to be disappointed," he said.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
a number of other local figures will be getting makeovers as well and organizers promise that at least one person will be in full dress-and-heels drag.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
.jpg)
![](https://media.darpanmagazine.com/library/uploads/news/content/lgbt2@#</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
the ball, however, is not solely for the lbgtq community and attendees are welcome to wear what they want — from jeans and t-shirts to costumes.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
like the crosswalk, basran said the ball is intended to make people feel welcome and build connections, which is why he partnered with the young professionals collective to host it.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
organizer drew vincent said there is an effort to attract and retain young professionals in the region, and giving them fun, inclusive events to attend is part of that effort.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
supporting the okanagan pride society, including donating proceeds from the ball, is one way to build and foster connections, he said.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"in order to achieve equality we need to be fighting for those who are marginalized or oppressed... and when there are a lot of people who get together and, form meaningful connections, we are a lot stronger as a whole."</div>.jpg)
MORE National ARTICLES
Charges Pending Against Winnipeg Man, Woman After Hotel Worker's Ears Bitten Off
Police say a 40-year-old woman was working early on June 19 when she was confronted by two people after refusing them service.
Charges Pending Against Winnipeg Man, Woman After Hotel Worker's Ears Bitten Off
Scrimpy Summer? Canadians Plan To Spend 25% Less On Travel, Recreation: Cibc Poll
A new survey says Canadians plan to keep a close watch on their wallets when it comes to discretionary spending this summer.
Scrimpy Summer? Canadians Plan To Spend 25% Less On Travel, Recreation: Cibc Poll
Canada Will Lead New Nato Battle Group In Eastern Europe, Says Harjit Sajjan
Sajjan tells that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will announce the exact size of that contribution at next week's NATO leaders' summit in Warsaw, Poland.
Canada Will Lead New Nato Battle Group In Eastern Europe, Says Harjit Sajjan
More Brits Looking For Jobs In Canada After Brexit Vote: Job Search Site
Number of U.K. queries for jobs in Canada was over four times the average in the 48 hours following the vote to withdraw from the European Union.
More Brits Looking For Jobs In Canada After Brexit Vote: Job Search Site
Arrests Made In Hit-and-run Death Of Former UFC Fighter Ryan Jimmo
Jimmo, who was 34, was fatally injured early Sunday following a verbal argument that escalated into a fight in the parking lot of a bar.
Arrests Made In Hit-and-run Death Of Former UFC Fighter Ryan Jimmo
Immigrant Investment Has Impact On Vancouver Housing Market: Researchers
VANCOUVER — Researchers in British Columbia say they've found empirical evidence linking immigration to real estate prices for the first time.