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
Independent Investigators Looking Into Police-involved Shooting In Okanagan, B.C.
The Independent Investigation Office says a Summerland RCMP officer tried to pull over a vehicle that headed down a dead-end road early Saturday morning.
Independent Investigators Looking Into Police-involved Shooting In Okanagan, B.C.
Canada Post Still Hopes To Negotiate 'Reasonable' Deal With Union
Canada Post says talks with the union representing postal workers continue and it still hopes to negotiate a deal.
Canada Post Still Hopes To Negotiate 'Reasonable' Deal With Union
Subdued Business Outlook For The Next Year, Bank Of Canada Poll Says
OTTAWA — Canadian businesses are anticipating only a minimal acceleration in sales growth over the next 12 months amid bleak expectations among firms linked to the energy industry, a new Bank of Canada poll suggests.
Subdued Business Outlook For The Next Year, Bank Of Canada Poll Says
Monkey Business: Ontario Police Use Bananas To Lure Monkey To Captivity
Police in a small central Ontario town had to use bananas to lure a renegade monkey into captivity Sunday morning after it was spotted on the loose in a residential area.
Monkey Business: Ontario Police Use Bananas To Lure Monkey To Captivity
Parks Canada Officials Say Human Contact Putting Wildlife, People At Risk
BANFF, Alta. — Tourists are repeatedly warned about getting too close to wildlife they come across in the mountains, but Parks Canada officials say despite the advisories, it’s still happening.
Parks Canada Officials Say Human Contact Putting Wildlife, People At Risk
Amina Chaudhary, Ontario Woman Convicted Of Killing Ex-Lover's Nephew Granted Day Parole
Chaudhary was convicted in 1984 of killing her former lover's eight-year-old nephew but maintains her innocence to this day.