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
Nurses Union Demands B.C. Government Make Mental Health A Priority
The union calls on Premier Christy Clark and Health Minister Terry Lake to make mental-health care a priority.
Nurses Union Demands B.C. Government Make Mental Health A Priority
B.C. Mulls Letting Mining Companies Defer Power Costs Until Prices Rebound
Christy Clark announced her government will extend two tax-credit programs while delivering the keynote address at the annual conference into B.C. mineral exploration.
B.C. Mulls Letting Mining Companies Defer Power Costs Until Prices Rebound
Human Error And Faulty Equipment Led To Escape Of Prisoner In Nova Scotia: Report
HALIFAX — An internal review says human error and equipment error allowed a prisoner to escape from custody last month in Nova Scotia.
Human Error And Faulty Equipment Led To Escape Of Prisoner In Nova Scotia: Report
Ailing Liberal MP Mauril Belanger To Try Again To Change Lyrics To Canada's National Anthem
The veteran Ottawa MP, whose vocal chords have been weakened by Lou Gehrig's disease, is determined to end the song's inference that patriotism is something felt exclusively by men.
Ailing Liberal MP Mauril Belanger To Try Again To Change Lyrics To Canada's National Anthem
Powerful Northern B.C. Coalition Inks Pact To Save Skeena River From LNG Plant
A coalition of indigenous leaders, politicians and others has signed a declaration to permanently protect Lelu Island and the nearby Flora Bank from industrial development.
Powerful Northern B.C. Coalition Inks Pact To Save Skeena River From LNG Plant
Guelph Mercury, One Of Canada's Oldest Newspapers, Quits Print Editions
TORONTO — The Guelph Mercury daily newspaper has announced it will stop publishing its print editions this week.