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
B.C. Rule Changes Make Liquor Taste Tests Easier, Allow Retailers To Charge Fee
VICTORIA — If you're hesitating to buy a pricey bottle of liquor you've never tried, the British Columbia government has stepped in with a taste-test solution.
B.C. Rule Changes Make Liquor Taste Tests Easier, Allow Retailers To Charge Fee
Viral Video Of Failed Parking Attempt Leads To Charges For Vancouver Teen
VANCOUVER — An online video showing the end of a teen's joy ride may be funny to viewers, but it wasn't a laughing matter for his mother or police in Vancouver.
Viral Video Of Failed Parking Attempt Leads To Charges For Vancouver Teen
Concerns Raised Over Using Woman In Head Scarf For Syrian Refugee Program Ad
The photo was one of five put before eight focus groups run last November and December by the civil servants supporting the Prime Minister's Office.
Concerns Raised Over Using Woman In Head Scarf For Syrian Refugee Program Ad
Three Year Investigation Leads To Charges In Brazen Robbery In Fort St. John
Fort St. John RCMP credit tips from the public and dogged work by officers for the three arrests.
Three Year Investigation Leads To Charges In Brazen Robbery In Fort St. John
Ontario Allows Grocers That Sell Beer To Add Craft Cider To Store Shelves
Premier Kathleen Wynne says craft producers have turned locally made cider into one of Ontario's emerging success stories.
Ontario Allows Grocers That Sell Beer To Add Craft Cider To Store Shelves
Late Veteran's Love Letters Give Daughter Window Into Father She Never Knew
VERNON, B.C. — As Cathy Gaetz-Brothen opened the box to show her book club the hundreds of love letters her father had written her mother during the war, she recalls several people recoiling.