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
Abbotsford Police Respond To Gunshot At Hotel, No Evidence Of Injuries
Police say the caller said they believed the shot came from an adjacent suite at the hotel (in the 1800-block of Sumas Way).
Abbotsford Police Respond To Gunshot At Hotel, No Evidence Of Injuries
All-Party Committee Will Study How To Sanction Justin Trudeau For Commons Fracas
One expert says the Liberal majority on the all-party committee of procedure and House affairs means it's unlikely Trudeau will face any punishment.
All-Party Committee Will Study How To Sanction Justin Trudeau For Commons Fracas
Meet The Man Who Will Help Draw The Blueprint For Canada's Economic Future
For Dominic Barton, the invitation to apply his decades worth of experience as an international economic fixer at home was a "duty" he didn't want to pass up.
Meet The Man Who Will Help Draw The Blueprint For Canada's Economic Future
After The Elbow: Ruth Ellen Brosseau Target Of Personal Attacks Since Commons Encounter
Brosseau, who admits to still being personally shaken by the incident, says her office has received a number phone calls, many of them suggesting she is "crying wolf."
After The Elbow: Ruth Ellen Brosseau Target Of Personal Attacks Since Commons Encounter
Disease Found In Salmon On One Fish Farm In B.C. But More Research Needed
VANCOUVER — Scientists have detected a potential disease in farmed Atlantic salmon for the first time in British Columbia, but say more research is needed to determine if it could affect wild populations of the fish.
Disease Found In Salmon On One Fish Farm In B.C. But More Research Needed
Terrorism-related Peace Bond To Be Lifted For P.E.I. University Student
CHARLOTTETOWN — The lawyer for a P.E.I. man accused of having enough castor beans to produce the deadly toxin ricin says his client will soon be freed from the conditions of a peace bond he signed a year ago.