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
RCMP Has 'moved Beyond' Harassment Issues Plaguing Force: Top Mountie
Canada's top Mountie told the federal government last spring the RCMP had "moved beyond" internal issues of harassment and bullying through "concrete actions" that had fostered a more respectful workplace
RCMP Has 'moved Beyond' Harassment Issues Plaguing Force: Top Mountie
Vast Majority Of Syrian Refugees Arrived Healthy But Challenges Remain: Study
The vast majority of the 26,000 Syrian refugees who arrived in Canada by the end of last month showed up healthy, newly published government data suggests.
Vast Majority Of Syrian Refugees Arrived Healthy But Challenges Remain: Study
Searchers Looking For Nunavut Legislature Member Missing On Snowmobile Trip
Northern officials say Pauloosie Keeyootak left Iqaluit last Tuesday and was supposed to have arrived at his destination the following day.
Searchers Looking For Nunavut Legislature Member Missing On Snowmobile Trip
Fracking, Not Water Disposal, Behind Earthquakes: Study
New research suggests that hydraulic fracking of oil and gas wells is behind earthquakes caused by humans in Western Canada.
Fracking, Not Water Disposal, Behind Earthquakes: Study
'It's Magic:' Calgary Artist Kay Pike Uses Paint To Transform Into Man Of Steel
Kay Pike stands in front of a giant lit mirror, dabs her brush into a glob of paint and touches it to her skin.
'It's Magic:' Calgary Artist Kay Pike Uses Paint To Transform Into Man Of Steel
Ontario To Resume Rabies Vaccine Baiting Effort As Outbreak Reaches 70 Animals
Ontario is set to start dropping more anti-rabies vaccine as part of its new phase in its fight against the virus, which has so far been found in 70 raccoons and skunks.