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
Alberta Hostage Taker Poses Risk On Release If Not Monitored: Parole Board
Patrick Clayton, 45, is scheduled for mandatory release on June 12, but the parole board recommends the new condition in addition to the others he's been under while on day parole.
Alberta Hostage Taker Poses Risk On Release If Not Monitored: Parole Board
Maple Batalia Murder: Gursimar Bedi Found Guilty Of Accessory But Not Guilty Of Manslaughter
Gursimar Singh Bedi, a co-accused in Maple Batalia murder case has been found not guilty of manslaughter
Maple Batalia Murder: Gursimar Bedi Found Guilty Of Accessory But Not Guilty Of Manslaughter
Dial-A-Dope Drug Trafficking Investigation: Surrey Police Arrest 8 People, 4 More Wanted
Those who were arrested on trafficking warrants are Ravinder Samra, 29, Hazim Hazim, 20, Tony Tran, 30, and Peter Butcher, 52.
Dial-A-Dope Drug Trafficking Investigation: Surrey Police Arrest 8 People, 4 More Wanted
Two More Warrants For Drug Ring Operating From Chilliwack To Fort St. John, B.C.
21-year old Le Hoang-Duy Vo and 27-year old Andrew Vithna Va each face a charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Two More Warrants For Drug Ring Operating From Chilliwack To Fort St. John, B.C.
32 Year Old Suspect Arrested For Property Theft In Kamloops City
At 5 am on May 25th Kamloops RCMP received numerous reports of a suspicious male carrying items near the riverbank behind Clifford Avenue on the North Shore.
32 Year Old Suspect Arrested For Property Theft In Kamloops City
Elderly Women Kicked, Punched, In Separate Random Attacks In Vancouver
An 84-year-old woman suffered a broke elbow and remains in hospital after being kicked to the ground while sitting on her walker just before noon.