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
International Students Eye Top-Notch Education 'At A Reduced Price' In Canada
Hundreds of thousands of international students flock to Canadian univesities each year. But prospective students from the U.S. may find Canadian schools even more enticing this year thanks to the low loonie.
International Students Eye Top-Notch Education 'At A Reduced Price' In Canada
Falling Crude Prices Not Reflected At The Pump As Low Dollar, Refiners Take Cut
CALGARY — Low oil prices are hammering Canada's resource economy but drivers aren't seeing the silver lining of equally low prices at the pump.
Falling Crude Prices Not Reflected At The Pump As Low Dollar, Refiners Take Cut
Deadline For Midnight Strike Or Lockout Looms At Halifax Newspaper
HALIFAX — A lockout or strike appears inevitable at Canada's largest independent daily newspaper.
Deadline For Midnight Strike Or Lockout Looms At Halifax Newspaper
Twitter Harassment Trial Will Help Set Tone For Online Interaction: Observers
TORONTO — The outcome of what's believed to be the first criminal harassment case in Canada involving Twitter will help set the tone for how the courts and society navigate the nuances of online interaction, observers said Thursday.
Twitter Harassment Trial Will Help Set Tone For Online Interaction: Observers
B.C. Ministry Wants To Stop Metis Foster Parents' Petition To Keep Toddler
The British Columbia government is fighting an attempt by Metis foster parents to stop the province from moving a two-year-old girl to Ontario to live with her older siblings.
B.C. Ministry Wants To Stop Metis Foster Parents' Petition To Keep Toddler
Langley's Injured Man Not Victim Of Gunshot, But Police Mystified By Events
A man inside claimed he had been shot in the shoulder, he was taken to hospital and doctors quickly reported his injury did not appear to be from a gun