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
Surrey Police Seeking Supected Fraudster Who's Preyed On People's Generosity
The pictures show an Asian female, 30 to 40 years old, with dark hair and pink highlights. At the time the suspect was wearing glasses, a grey sweatshirt, and a black vest
Surrey Police Seeking Supected Fraudster Who's Preyed On People's Generosity
PICS Receives $500,000 for 75 Child Care Spaces in Cloverdale
MLA Stephanie Cadieux, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale has announced that PICS is one of six Surrey organizations to receive funding from the Provincial Government.
PICS Receives $500,000 for 75 Child Care Spaces in Cloverdale
City of Surrey Unveils Progressive Sustainability Charter 2.0
The refreshed and updated document acts as a roadmap to grow the city with a viable sustainable vision with a focus and sensitivity to long-term impacts.
City of Surrey Unveils Progressive Sustainability Charter 2.0
Bard On The Beach Shakespeare Festival’s 27th Season
Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival begins its 27th season in Van...
Bard On The Beach Shakespeare Festival’s 27th Season
Feds See Ontario Stance On CPP As Roadblock To Expanding Pension Plan
OTTAWA — Federal sources say Canada's most populous province has become a roadblock in work to gain the required support from provinces to make reform and expand the Canada Pension Plan.
Feds See Ontario Stance On CPP As Roadblock To Expanding Pension Plan
British Columbia Government Handing $25 Million Back To Provincial School Districts
All 60 B.C. school districts will receive some funds.