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
Vancouver Street Named After Indo-Canadian Pioneer, Businessman Jack Uppal, A First In City History
Jack Uppal Street is located in south Vancouver's River District, the section of the city running along the north side of the Fraser River.
Vancouver Street Named After Indo-Canadian Pioneer, Businessman Jack Uppal, A First In City History
Another Shooting In Surrey: 'Get The Hell Out Of My City,’ Says Furious Linda Hepner
RCMP was called to a home in the 7700-block of 155th Street around 11 p.m. to find an injured minor who suffered bullet wounds.
Another Shooting In Surrey: 'Get The Hell Out Of My City,’ Says Furious Linda Hepner
Mayor and Council Approve New Rental Housing in Punjabi Market
Six-storey mixed use building at Main and 49th Avenue includes 75 new rental homes
Mayor and Council Approve New Rental Housing in Punjabi Market
Surrey Youth Soccer Coach Kuldip Mahal Sentenced To 7 Years For Seeking Sex With 12-Year-Old Girl
He pleaded guilty in Seattle earlier this year to sex crimes after being caught in a police sting
Surrey Youth Soccer Coach Kuldip Mahal Sentenced To 7 Years For Seeking Sex With 12-Year-Old Girl
Abbotsford Police Warn Public Of Craigslist Phone Theft Scam
Abbotsford Police Department is warning the public after reports of three separate incidents involving an iPhone for sale on Craigslist.
Abbotsford Police Warn Public Of Craigslist Phone Theft Scam
Turbulent Battle As Golden, B.C., Fights To Save Local River Rafting Industry
Tourism officials in the southeastern B.C., town of Golden say letters of support are flooding in as they fight for access to the Kicking Horse River.