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
Alberta Asks B.C. Conflicts Commissioner To Look Into Redford Ethics Probe
EDMONTON — Alberta's ethics commissioner is asking her counterpart in British Columbia to decide if there should be a renewed conflict-of-interest investigation of former premier Alison Redford.
Alberta Asks B.C. Conflicts Commissioner To Look Into Redford Ethics Probe
Almost 300 People Nominated Under New, Less Partisan Senate Appointment Process
Trudeau named seven new senators last month, all chosen from a short list of 25 recommended by a newly created, arm's length advisory board.
Almost 300 People Nominated Under New, Less Partisan Senate Appointment Process
Email From Manitoba Liberal Account Asks People Not To Abandon Leader
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Liberal Party's communications director on Tuesday openly asked members to unite and not to criticize leader Rana Bokhari as she campaigns for the provincial election.
Email From Manitoba Liberal Account Asks People Not To Abandon Leader
Manitoba Progressive Conservatives Promise $28Million For Tourism Funding
WINNIPEG — Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives are promising to spend more money to promote tourism if they form the next provincial government.
Manitoba Progressive Conservatives Promise $28Million For Tourism Funding
Prince Harry Will Launch Countdown On May 2 For Invictus Games In Toronto
Prince Harry will visit Toronto on May 2 to launch the countdown for the third edition of the Invictus Games to be held in the city in September 2017.
Prince Harry Will Launch Countdown On May 2 For Invictus Games In Toronto
Doug Ford Coy On Byelection Speculation - That He Helped Generate
The brother of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford visited the Ontario legislature Tuesday, but denied speculation — that he helped generate — that he wants to seek the Progressive Conservative nomination in an upcoming byelection.