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
Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Four Women At University of Victoria Won't Be Charged: Crown
VICTORIA — Sexual assault charges will not be filed against a man who police arrested after complaints from four students at the University of Victoria.
Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Four Women At University of Victoria Won't Be Charged: Crown
Burrowing Owls To Be Released For First Time On B.C. First Nations Reserve
MERRITT, B.C. — Burrowing owls will be released on First Nations land for the first time in British Columbia with the goal of reintroducing the endangered birds on a reserve near Merritt, B.C.
Burrowing Owls To Be Released For First Time On B.C. First Nations Reserve
Winnipeg Health Authority Apologizes To Mohinder Singh's Family For Delay In Review Of Painful Death
Last fall, Mohinder Singh, 57, went to Seven Oaks General Hospital with a severe headache but was told she would have to wait for a CT scan, so she eventually laid down on the floor because it was too painful to sit in a wheelchair.
Winnipeg Health Authority Apologizes To Mohinder Singh's Family For Delay In Review Of Painful Death
Mission, B.C. Man Pleads Guilty To Woman's Death In Fire And Attempted Murder Of 2 Kids
A 43-year-old man from Mission, B.C., has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Mission, B.C. Man Pleads Guilty To Woman's Death In Fire And Attempted Murder Of 2 Kids
Vancouver Opera's Latest, Evita, Comes with an Exciting Starcast
Vancouver Opera's company premiere of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit Evita ...
Vancouver Opera's Latest, Evita, Comes with an Exciting Starcast
Procession Honours Fallen RCMP Officer As Body Is Returned To Langford, B.c
The Capital Regional District Traffic Safety Commission says a plane carrying Beckett's body is due to land at the Victoria airport at about 2:30 p.m.