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
RCMP Say They Had To Shoot Polar Bear As It Came Ashore On Fogo Island
Cpl. Shaun Coady says a .308-calibre rifle was used to bring down the fully grown bear as it came out of the water at the fish plant in Deep Bay.
RCMP Say They Had To Shoot Polar Bear As It Came Ashore On Fogo Island
Whooping Cough Outbreak Declared At Calgary School By Alberta Health Services
CALGARY — Alberta Health Services has declared an outbreak of whooping cough at a school in Calgary.
Whooping Cough Outbreak Declared At Calgary School By Alberta Health Services
Police, Medical Examiner Investigating Hospital Death In Newfoundland
Under the province's Fatalities Investigation Act, reportable deaths involve violence, accident, suicide, improper or negligent treatment.
Police, Medical Examiner Investigating Hospital Death In Newfoundland
Reward Offered For Information Leading To Arrests In Recent Halifax Homicides
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia has announced cash rewards for tips that help solve four recent homicides in Halifax.
Reward Offered For Information Leading To Arrests In Recent Halifax Homicides
Judge-Approved Assisted Death Didn't Clear Hurdles For Calgary Woman
Even though she had a judge's approval, Hanne Schafer could not find a doctor in her hometown of Calgary to help her die.
Judge-Approved Assisted Death Didn't Clear Hurdles For Calgary Woman
Citizenships Being Granted Without All Checks Being Carried Out: Auditor
People with serious criminal records and others using potentially phoney addresses are among those who managed to secure Canadian citizenship, thanks to a system that doesn't do enough to root out fraud, the auditor general has found.