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
Elderly Elephant That Vancouver Woman Stood By Dies In Tokyo Zoo At 69
TOKYO — An elephant that set off a petition drive inspired by a Vancouver blogger to move her out of her concrete pen in a small zoo in Japan died Thursday at age 69.
Elderly Elephant That Vancouver Woman Stood By Dies In Tokyo Zoo At 69
Photo Of Halifax Cop Chatting With Panhandler Gets Much Love On Social Media
The photo shows a uniformed officer sitting casually on the sidewalk with his legs outstretched, chatting with a panhandler on Spring Garden Road.
Photo Of Halifax Cop Chatting With Panhandler Gets Much Love On Social Media
Canadian Hurricane Forecasters Predict More Normal Storm Season In Atlantic
HALIFAX — The Canadian Hurricane Centre says the 2016 hurricane season will see more normal storm activity as the effects of El Nino begin to dwindle.
Canadian Hurricane Forecasters Predict More Normal Storm Season In Atlantic
Ottawa Posts $2-Billion Deficit For Fiscal Year As Income Tax Revenue Falls In March
The spring budget had projected a $5.4 billion deficit for the year.
Ottawa Posts $2-Billion Deficit For Fiscal Year As Income Tax Revenue Falls In March
Health Concerns Behind Raid Of Dozens Of Pot Shops, Arrests: Toronto Police
Police Chief Mark Saunders says 90 people have been arrested and 186 charges laid after officers — accompanied by city municipal licencing and standards officials — executed search warrants at 43 storefront pot shops on Thursday.
Health Concerns Behind Raid Of Dozens Of Pot Shops, Arrests: Toronto Police
Seed Funds For B.C. Chemist Aimed At Making Advances Against Zika Virus
VICTORIA — A researcher at the University of Victoria has received funding aimed at developing technology to help identify the Zika virus.