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.
MORE National ARTICLES
Ottawa Commits An Extra $30 Million In Annual Funding For Legal Aid Programs
Ottawa plans to give the provinces more money for legal aid programs to help improve access to the justice system.
Ottawa Commits An Extra $30 Million In Annual Funding For Legal Aid Programs
Woman Pleads Guilty To Impaired Driving In Crash That Killed Saskatoon Family
Catherine McKay, who remains in custody, appeared in court on video and pleaded guilty to four counts of impaired driving causing death.
Woman Pleads Guilty To Impaired Driving In Crash That Killed Saskatoon Family
Increasing Majority Believe Aboriginal People Experience Discrimination: Survey
The survey was conducted by the Environics Institute for Survey Research with the help of seven aboriginal and non-aboriginal organizations.
Increasing Majority Believe Aboriginal People Experience Discrimination: Survey
One Of Two Nannies At Prime Minister's Residence To Be Let Go As Of July 1
OTTAWA — Come Canada Day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's family will be down to one publicly funded nanny.
One Of Two Nannies At Prime Minister's Residence To Be Let Go As Of July 1
Vancouver Mayor Seeks 'Definitive No' On Trans Mountain Oil Pipeline Expansion
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and three local First Nation representatives are urging the federal Liberals to pronounce a "definitive no" to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
Vancouver Mayor Seeks 'Definitive No' On Trans Mountain Oil Pipeline Expansion
New Westminster School Being Replaced In Largest School Capital Project Ever
Nearly 2,100 students, from grades 9 to 12, will move into a new home in 2019 with today’s announcement of the $106.5 million replacement of New Westminster Secondary school