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.
MORE National ARTICLES
Canadians Donate $30 Million To Red Cross For Fort McMurray Relief Effort
Canadian Red Cross President Conrad Sauve says that just on Thursday, more than 100,000 people texted his organization to donate.
Canadians Donate $30 Million To Red Cross For Fort McMurray Relief Effort
Syrian Refugees Resettled In Fort McMurray Forced To Flee From 'Fire To Fire'
They are among about six families of Syrian refugees that resettled in the city in recent months.
Syrian Refugees Resettled In Fort McMurray Forced To Flee From 'Fire To Fire'
Burnaby Woman Fined $5,200 For Illegally Buying Bear Gallbladders
VANCOUVER — A Burnaby, B.C., woman has been fined $5,200 after illegally buying bear gallbladders in an attempt to treat her severely-ill son's seizures.
Burnaby Woman Fined $5,200 For Illegally Buying Bear Gallbladders
Prince George RCMP Seek Suspect Responsible For Huge 2015 Wildfire
The Bobtail Lake blaze was first spotted on May 8, 2015.
Prince George RCMP Seek Suspect Responsible For Huge 2015 Wildfire
Police Arrest Man Suspected Of Stealing Five Million Bees From Quebec Beekeeper
VICTORIAVILLE, Que. — A 36-year-old man has been arrested in the theft of five million bees in Quebec.
Police Arrest Man Suspected Of Stealing Five Million Bees From Quebec Beekeeper
Slave Lake's Experience Offers Insurance Lessons For Fort McMurray Evacuees
What transpired after included frustrating negotiations with his insurance company, a $30,000 payment to an independent adjuster and waiting about 1 1/2 years to move into his rebuilt home.