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
Pedestrian Dies In Vancouver Island Crash, Police Seeking Witnesses
Central Saanich Police say the crash happened shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday and left a woman in her late 40s dead.
Pedestrian Dies In Vancouver Island Crash, Police Seeking Witnesses
Huge Fernie, B.C., House Fire Kills 69-Year-Old Man
The fire happened around 4:45 p.m. Friday in a residential neighbourhood of the mountain town, located just west of the Alberta border.
Huge Fernie, B.C., House Fire Kills 69-Year-Old Man
Kamloops Rescuers Received 'Sizable' Donation From Family They Saved
Kamloops Search and Rescue manager Alan Hobler will only say the donation is a sizable amount that will cover the cost of the rescue and help purchase a lot of much needed equipment.
Kamloops Rescuers Received 'Sizable' Donation From Family They Saved
'Institutional Betrayal' Expert To Speak At UBC Following Alleged Sex Assaults
When an institution fails a victim after a sexual assault, that betrayal worsens the trauma from the attack, says a leading U.S. expert who is set to speak at the University of British Columbia.
'Institutional Betrayal' Expert To Speak At UBC Following Alleged Sex Assaults
Thierry Leroux Identified As Police Officer Killed In Line Of Duty In Quebec
Quebec provincial police have identified the police officer who was fatally shot in the line of duty in Lac-Simon on Saturday night as 26-year-old Thierry Leroux.
Thierry Leroux Identified As Police Officer Killed In Line Of Duty In Quebec
Syrians Not The Only Ones Facing Adversity At Home, Say Non-Syrian Refugees
TORONTO — Solomon didn't face a welcoming committee with cameras clicking when he landed in Toronto as a refugee. Instead, he got a send-off.