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
Newfoundlanders Say Next Supreme Court Justice Should Come From Their Province
The Supreme Court of Canada will soon have a vacancy, and the president of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador says it's time the new justice came from her province.
Newfoundlanders Say Next Supreme Court Justice Should Come From Their Province
B.C. Man Daniel Sutherland With Seven Arson Convictions Declared Dangerous Offender
A "pathological fire setter" who has been convicted of seven arsons has been imprisoned indefinitely as a dangerous offender.
B.C. Man Daniel Sutherland With Seven Arson Convictions Declared Dangerous Offender
Saskatchewan Police Search For Escaped Murder Suspect After Men Ambush Guards
Braidy Vermette, 27, escaped while being taken to a hospital for a self-inflicted arm injury Wednesday night in Prince Albert.
Saskatchewan Police Search For Escaped Murder Suspect After Men Ambush Guards
Prince Rupert Residents Worry Aggressive Wolves Threaten Pedestrians, Pets
Some residents of Prince Rupert, B.C., say they are nervous about increasing wolf encounters in the north coast city.
Prince Rupert Residents Worry Aggressive Wolves Threaten Pedestrians, Pets
RCMP Boss Bob Paulson Reticent To Answer Questions About Avoiding Speeding Ticket
Bob Paulson told members of the Vancouver Board of Trade that he was pulled over while driving a rental vehicle along the Coquihalla Highway returning from a friend's wedding last year.
RCMP Boss Bob Paulson Reticent To Answer Questions About Avoiding Speeding Ticket
5 Things About Canada's Private Sponsorship Program For Refugees
It's one of the only programs of its kind in the world. It's not until recent years that other countries have adopted the private sponsorship model