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
Alberta Battling Ezra Levant's Online News Outlet Over Legislature Access
The Alberta government is battling an online news outlet over access to the legislature and has asked a recently retired journalist to review its media policy.
Alberta Battling Ezra Levant's Online News Outlet Over Legislature Access
New Brunswick Judge To Decide Today Whether To Grant Dennis Oland Bail
Dennis Oland will learn today if he'll walk out of a Fredericton courthouse free on bail, or go to prison to await the appeal of his second-degree murder conviction.
New Brunswick Judge To Decide Today Whether To Grant Dennis Oland Bail
Second Foot Washed Up In B.C. Confirmed To Be Human
The first foot was found by a hiker on Feb. 7 and a second running shoe containing a foot was found last Friday.
Second Foot Washed Up In B.C. Confirmed To Be Human
Daughter Of B.C. Man Fatally Shot By Police Tells Inquest She Could Have Helped
Nousha Bayrami told a coroner's inquest on Tuesday her father, Mehrdad Bayrami, 48, had been on medication for severe depression prior to the armed standoff that led to his death in November 2012.
Daughter Of B.C. Man Fatally Shot By Police Tells Inquest She Could Have Helped
HIGHLIGHTS: B.C. Delivers 4th Balanced Budget, Drops Home Tax To Stimulate Building
Finance Minister Mike de Jong tabled B.C.'s fourth consecutive balanced budget, posting a surplus of $264 million.
HIGHLIGHTS: B.C. Delivers 4th Balanced Budget, Drops Home Tax To Stimulate Building
TD Bank Standoff Ends As Surrey Police Arrest A Male Suspect Without Incident
The man appeared to be in his 20s or 30s, was wearing a blue plaid shirt and came out with his head down. A crowd gathered at a nearby intersection applauded.