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
Detectives Probe Surrey, B.C., House Fire That Left One Dead, One Hurt
Surrey RCMP says the blaze broke out just before 1 a.m. Wednesday
Detectives Probe Surrey, B.C., House Fire That Left One Dead, One Hurt
Foster Teen Deliberately Jumped From Abbotsford Hotel Window
The BC Coroners Service released its report on the death of Alex Gervais, an 18-year-old who was placed by the Children's Ministry in an Abbotsford Super 8 motel after his group home was closed.
Foster Teen Deliberately Jumped From Abbotsford Hotel Window
Prime Minister Thanks Fire Fighters In Fort McMurray, Says He'll Visit Friday
Trudeau announced the planned visit in the House of Commons today as he faced questions about his government's promises to help the community rebuild.
Prime Minister Thanks Fire Fighters In Fort McMurray, Says He'll Visit Friday
Metis Teen Finishes 420 Km Run, Raises $10,000 For Group Which Found Cousin's Body
Kayleen McKay started running 420 kilometres from Duck Bay, Man., 10 days ago to finish in Winnipeg Tuesday.
Metis Teen Finishes 420 Km Run, Raises $10,000 For Group Which Found Cousin's Body
Fort McMurray Funeral Home Staff Hauled Body, Cremated Remains During Evacuation
As residents of Fort McMurray snatched up key belongings before fleeing their homes last week, employees at the northern Alberta community's lone funeral home packed a more "precious" cargo.
Fort McMurray Funeral Home Staff Hauled Body, Cremated Remains During Evacuation
Harmeet Dhillon Among Big-Name California Republicans As Donald Trump Delegates
Trump's list also includes Harmeet Dhillon, vice chair of the California GOP, state Senate GOP leader Jean Fuller, former congressman Doug Ose and former state Sen. Tony Strickland.