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
India's Cultural Influences Reflect In Its Cuisine: Canadian Chef David Rocco
Having visited India five times in the last three years for a total of 26 weeks, Italian-Canadian chef David Rocco feels that the country is his "second home"
India's Cultural Influences Reflect In Its Cuisine: Canadian Chef David Rocco
Vancouver Police Caution Drug Users After Spike In Overdose Deaths
Police say the spike is concerning because three people typically die each week from drug overdoses
Vancouver Police Caution Drug Users After Spike In Overdose Deaths
After Hours Visit To Calgary Bobsled Track Leads To Deaths And Injuries
Calgary police say emergency crews were called to the WinSport facility in northwest Calgary at 1:30 a.m. after a report of several injured people on a closed track.
After Hours Visit To Calgary Bobsled Track Leads To Deaths And Injuries
Edmonton Priest Faces Sex Charges Over Allegations Dating Back To The 1980s
Police say Gordon William Dominey, 63, is accused of sexually assaulting five youths when he worked at the Edmonton Youth Development Centre between 1985 and 1989.
Edmonton Priest Faces Sex Charges Over Allegations Dating Back To The 1980s
Manitoba Mom Of Dead Girl Hopes 2,000 DNA Samples Lead Police To Her Killer
RCMP is collecting up to 2,000 DNA samples from men and boys between 15 and 66 on the Garden Hill First Nation.
Manitoba Mom Of Dead Girl Hopes 2,000 DNA Samples Lead Police To Her Killer
Funerals Being Held Today For Six Quebecers Killed In Burkina Faso Attacks
QUEBEC — Funeral services are being held today for the six Quebecers killed in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso last month.