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
Teen Suspects Arrested In Assaults At Manitoba Addiction Treatment Centre
Selkirk RCMP say a 16-year-old boy was taken into custody Monday evening and a 17-year-old boy was arrested early Tuesday morning.
Teen Suspects Arrested In Assaults At Manitoba Addiction Treatment Centre
B.C. Audit Says More Work Needed On Community Programs To Reduce Reoffending
Carol Bellringer looked at six of the eight recommendations and says B.C. Community Corrections has taken steps to implement only one of them.
B.C. Audit Says More Work Needed On Community Programs To Reduce Reoffending
Chamber Of Commerce AGM Backs Wineries, Eyes AirBnb, B.C. Real Estate
British Columbia's business leaders have adopted a list of policies they want addressed by government including more equitable taxation for wineries and Airbnb-style rentals and protection for old-growth forests.
Chamber Of Commerce AGM Backs Wineries, Eyes AirBnb, B.C. Real Estate
Ontario Woman Wakes Up To Find Large Snake In Apartment: Police
Brockville police say that by the time officers arrived around 1 a.m. Monday, the snake had slithered into an air vent and disappeared.
Ontario Woman Wakes Up To Find Large Snake In Apartment: Police
Man's Sudden Death Prompts RCMP Search For Watercraft In Maple Ridge
Police confirm they were called to the Haney Bypass, about 45 kilometres east of Vancouver, just after 3 a.m.
Man's Sudden Death Prompts RCMP Search For Watercraft In Maple Ridge
Early Estimates Disappointing For 2016 Fraser River Sockeye Returns
Fisheries and Oceans Lower Fraser area director Jennifer Nener says about 2.27-million sockeye are expected this year.