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
'Bad Start To Fire Season Doesn't Necessarily Mean Bad Finish'
Intense And Early Start To Wildfires This Year Could Spell A Long And Difficult Season For All Of Canada And Not Just For Alberta
'Bad Start To Fire Season Doesn't Necessarily Mean Bad Finish'
Passing Of A Patriarch: Calgary Zoo Gorilla Kakinga Dies At 37
The zoo says Kakinga died on the weekend of heart failure.
Passing Of A Patriarch: Calgary Zoo Gorilla Kakinga Dies At 37
Archeologists Find Fresh Evidence Of Long-sought British Fort In Lunenburg
Halifax professor Henry Cary said historic records set off the hunt for a star-shaped or pentagonal fort that was marked on a 1753 plan of Lunenburg.
Archeologists Find Fresh Evidence Of Long-sought British Fort In Lunenburg
Canadian Trucking Industry Struggles To Attract Next Generation Of Drivers
MONTREAL — After 40 years as a truck driver, Jack Fielding says it's easier to name the places in North America where he hasn't been than the ones he has.
Canadian Trucking Industry Struggles To Attract Next Generation Of Drivers
Alberta Government Releases Fire Damage Surveillance App
A message from Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee warns that viewing the satellite images may be traumatic, and the number for Alberta’s Mental Health Help Line is included in her news release.
Alberta Government Releases Fire Damage Surveillance App
Trial To Begin For Calgary Man Charged In 2014 Stabbing Of Five Young People
Lawrence Hong, 27; Josh Hunter, 23; Kaitlin Perras, 23; Zackariah Rathwell, 21; and Jordan Segura, 22, were all killed.