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
Jian Ghomeshi Acquitted On All Charges Of Sexual Assault And Choking
Ontario court Judge William Horkins said he simply could not rely on the three complainants given their changing and shifting memories and evidence that at times strayed into outright lies.
Jian Ghomeshi Acquitted On All Charges Of Sexual Assault And Choking
Coffee-Tossing Toronto Woman Seen In Viral Timmies Tantrum Video Gets Police Warning
Videographer, Ryan Favro, had declined to press a criminal complaint but officers still paid a visit to the woman
Coffee-Tossing Toronto Woman Seen In Viral Timmies Tantrum Video Gets Police Warning
Liberals' Maiden 'Sunny Ways' Budget Showers Spending, Deficits To Spur Growth
The new Liberal government delivered a sunny ways budget Tuesday brimming with optimism and billion-dollar spending increases spread across a wide spectrum of society.
Liberals' Maiden 'Sunny Ways' Budget Showers Spending, Deficits To Spur Growth
Toronto Liberal MP Arnold Chan Faces Second Battle In Two Years With Rare Cancer
The MP for Scarborough-Agincourt says a recent routine check-up revealed that his cancer has returned.
Toronto Liberal MP Arnold Chan Faces Second Battle In Two Years With Rare Cancer
Animal Rights Group Urges Victoria Council To Ban Horse-drawn Carriages
Jordan Reichert, of the Victoria Horse Alliance, says the group will present its case to Victoria city council on Thursday.
Animal Rights Group Urges Victoria Council To Ban Horse-drawn Carriages
5 Killed After Van Hits Truck, Veers Off Road And Bursts Into Flames In Newfoundland
RCMP in Whitbourne today confirmed the number of deaths in the accident near the Long Harbour overpass at about 6 a.m. Tuesday.