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
Bottle Found On Nova Scotia Beach Has A Message, Human Ashes - And Money For A Drink
A Nova Scotia man says plans are underway to fulfil the wishes of the late Gary Robert Dupuis after the mystery man's ashes washed up on the shores of Cape Breton inside a tequila bottle.
Bottle Found On Nova Scotia Beach Has A Message, Human Ashes - And Money For A Drink
Regulation Bans Nova Scotia's Emergency Helicopter From Landing At Hospital Pads
A recent decision by Transport Canada has left the Nova Scotia government scrambling to replace the emergency helicopter that transports patients to the rooftop helipads at hospitals in Halifax and Digby.
Regulation Bans Nova Scotia's Emergency Helicopter From Landing At Hospital Pads
Nova Scotia Hires Two Lawyers To Prosecute Internet Child Exploitation
Justice Minister Diana Whalen says the government is dedicating more resources to the issue due to a perceived rise in Internet child exploitation.
Nova Scotia Hires Two Lawyers To Prosecute Internet Child Exploitation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Spends A Day On Troubled Reserve, Hauls Water
SHOAL LAKE, Ont. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hauled large jugs of drinking water and spoke with school children Thursday as he was immersed in the daily struggles of an isolated reserve that has been under a boil advisory for 19 years.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Spends A Day On Troubled Reserve, Hauls Water
Experts Caution About Use Of Unmonitored Mental Health App Forums
Many apps have interactive features, such as discussion boards or group chat rooms, where users with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or addictions can share their experiences.
Experts Caution About Use Of Unmonitored Mental Health App Forums
Feds Well Ahead Of Fiscal Target With $7.5 Billion Surplus After 11 Months Of 15-16
OTTAWA — The federal government ran a budgetary surplus of $7.5 billion over the first 11 months of its fiscal year — putting Ottawa's books well ahead of its 2015-16 deficit prediction with one month to go.