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
Vancouver Marks First Pedestrian Death In One Of Two Fatal B.C. Accidents
Vancouver Police say weather conditions were foul at about 10:30 Thursday night when the man was hit while crossing a major Vancouver street in mid-block.
Vancouver Marks First Pedestrian Death In One Of Two Fatal B.C. Accidents
City of Surrey hosts Community Forum on Refugees
“The City of Surrey is acutely aware of the importance of welcoming and including new immigrant and refugees as they start a new life in Canada,” says Mayor Linda Hepner. “I know the generosity and goodwill the new refugees will encounter in Surrey will go a long way in helping them achieve success.”
City of Surrey hosts Community Forum on Refugees
7 Hospitalized In 5 Provinces Affected By Listeria Outbreak; 1 Person Has Died
The agency says there were three cases in Ontario and one each in Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
7 Hospitalized In 5 Provinces Affected By Listeria Outbreak; 1 Person Has Died
Infrastructure Money To Flow Once Budget Is Passed: Minister Amarjeet Sohi
After a speech to the Toronto Region Board of Trade on Thursday, Amarjeet Sohi said his goal is to ensure investments can be made in the next construction season.
Infrastructure Money To Flow Once Budget Is Passed: Minister Amarjeet Sohi
Yves Richard, Husband Of Burkina Faso Victim Says He Hung Up On Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Yves Richard tells Montreal radio station 98.5 FM he was frustrated about what he called Trudeau's platitudes during their conversation Monday.
Yves Richard, Husband Of Burkina Faso Victim Says He Hung Up On Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Manitoba Mom Who Crawled Up Snowbank To Save Daughter After Crash May Not Walk Again: Friend
A friend says an injured Manitoba woman who crawled up a snowbank to seek help after spending overnight in a frigid ditch trying to keep her young daughter warm may never walk again.