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
Transport Minister Marc Garneau To Unveil Renewed Campaign Against Pointing Lasers At Planes
The federal government is set to launch a social media campaign to shine a light on the ongoing problem of people pointing lasers at planes.
Transport Minister Marc Garneau To Unveil Renewed Campaign Against Pointing Lasers At Planes
Retired Police Officers Warn Quebec Against Starting Costly Gun Registry
"If you have that in front of you, you can take a decision more quickly," said Brisebois, who retired in 2006 after 30 years on the force. "We were happy to have that info."
Retired Police Officers Warn Quebec Against Starting Costly Gun Registry
Little If Any Heroin Left In Vancouver, All Fentanyl: Drug Advocates
"Traditionally, heroin comes in about four different colours," said the longtime drug advocate, describing a bland palette of beiges, browns and blacks.
Little If Any Heroin Left In Vancouver, All Fentanyl: Drug Advocates
Evacuated Twice, Alberta Fire Means Mom Won't See Son Married In Jamaica
The passport was one of the few belongings she had when she left her basement apartment in Fort McMurray earlier this month.
Evacuated Twice, Alberta Fire Means Mom Won't See Son Married In Jamaica
Ripley's Reopens In Niagara Falls, Ont., After Six-Month Makeover
Ripley's Believe It or Not opened the doors to its so-called "odditorium" Friday after six months of renovations aimed at replacing traditional exhibits with something more hands-on.
Ripley's Reopens In Niagara Falls, Ont., After Six-Month Makeover
Missing Boa Constrictor Recovered In Duffel Bag Thanks To Anonymous Tip In Corner Brook, N.L.
Residents of Corner Brook, N.L., can breathe easy after the owner of a missing three-metre boa constrictor says the snake was safely returned.