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
Federal Budget Could Add Many More Spaces In Domestic Violence Shelters
The federal budget promised $89.9 million over two years that would allow 3,000 spaces to be renovated or created.
Federal Budget Could Add Many More Spaces In Domestic Violence Shelters
B.C. Man Facing Sexual Assault Charges In Denver Released From Custody
Colby Messer has been charged with six counts of sexual assault after a 27-year-old woman alleged she was sexually assaulted at a Denver hotel last November
B.C. Man Facing Sexual Assault Charges In Denver Released From Custody
Business Groups To Urge New Brunswick Government To End Fracking Moratorium
A collection of business groups is calling on the New Brunswick government to lift its fracking moratorium.
Business Groups To Urge New Brunswick Government To End Fracking Moratorium
'Almost Fell Over:' Alberta Couple Expecting Bundle Of Joy Times Four
Tim and Bethani Webb of Hythe planned to have a family when they got married last June and were thrilled when they found out not long after that they were expecting.
'Almost Fell Over:' Alberta Couple Expecting Bundle Of Joy Times Four
Searchers Expand Efforts To Find Crab Fishermen Missing Off Vancouver Island
The unnamed men were reported overdue early Sunday morning, almost two days after they set out from the Port Renfrew area, about 100 kilometres northwest of Victoria.
Searchers Expand Efforts To Find Crab Fishermen Missing Off Vancouver Island
Canadian Drugmaker Valeant Share Plunge After CEO Subpoenaed By Congress
Shares of beleaguered Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals are plunging again after its CEO was subpoenaed by a congressional committee.