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.
MORE National ARTICLES
Justin Trudeau At UN Promotes Ways To Move To Gender Equality
The prime minister is explaining his thoughts on gender equality before a clearly approving audience at the United Nations.
Justin Trudeau At UN Promotes Ways To Move To Gender Equality
'Everyone Has To Start Somewhere:' Manitoba Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari Still An Enigma
Three years later, without a seat in the legislature, the 38-year-old remains a bit of an enigma
'Everyone Has To Start Somewhere:' Manitoba Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari Still An Enigma
Ralph Goodale Says Canada Must Be Best In The World At Stopping Radicalization
Goodale says initial indications are that the man who attacked two soldiers at a north Toronto military recruitment centre was acting on his own.
Ralph Goodale Says Canada Must Be Best In The World At Stopping Radicalization
Kathleen Wynne Says She Worried About Pitching Tuition As Free, Says There Are Caveats
Premier Kathleen Wynne says she worried about her government pitching a new student grant program as providing "free" tuition, since there are caveats.
Kathleen Wynne Says She Worried About Pitching Tuition As Free, Says There Are Caveats
Woman Who Made History With Lawsuit Against Alberta Government Dies
Leilani Muir-O'Malley, 72, died sometime over the weekend at her home in Devon, Alta., said Nicola Fairbrother, director of Neighbourhood Bridges, an advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities.
Woman Who Made History With Lawsuit Against Alberta Government Dies
Homeless And Their Advocates Expect Help, Solutions In Federal Budget
The fading hardwood floor of the old church, littered with pigeon feathers and dried bird droppings, creaks with every step. Below it, in the basement, is where Vince Maratt and five other tenants call home.