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
Field Coaching Program Helping New Officers Learn The Ropes In Surrey
With a rapidly growing population, five policing districts, and a land mass two and half times bigger than Vancouver, the City of Surrey can be a daunting place to learn policing.
Field Coaching Program Helping New Officers Learn The Ropes In Surrey
Woman Convicted In Savage Killing Allowed Out Of Prison For Healing Ceremony
CALGARY — One of three women convicted in a savage killing in April 2006 has been granted a temporary escorted absence from prison to attend an aboriginal healing ceremony, even though she isn't aboriginal.
Woman Convicted In Savage Killing Allowed Out Of Prison For Healing Ceremony
Surrey Sees Rise In Break-Ins Using Stolen Garage Door Openers, Prompts Police Warning
Surrey RCMP has noticed a recent increase in residential break and enters (B&Es), some as a direct result of garage door openers left in vehicles in Surrey.
Surrey Sees Rise In Break-Ins Using Stolen Garage Door Openers, Prompts Police Warning
Sexual Assault On Napier Street: VPD Asks Community To Report Suspicious Behaviour
Vancouver Police are encouraging the community to report suspicious behaviour following the sexual assault of a woman on Napier Street early Sunday morning.
Sexual Assault On Napier Street: VPD Asks Community To Report Suspicious Behaviour
RCMP Writes Surrey Parents To Warn About Student Fentanyl Use
As summer holidays approach for elementary and high school students in British Columbia, RCMP in Surrey are urging parents to keep kids safe and to speak with them about easily available and deadly drugs.
RCMP Writes Surrey Parents To Warn About Student Fentanyl Use
College President In P.E.I. Gets Seven Days In Jail For Impaired Driving
CHARLOTTETOWN — The president of a college in Prince Edward Island has been sentenced to seven days in jail after being caught driving with a blood alcohol level almost three times over the legal limit.