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
OPP Union Officials Face Criminal Charges Following Investigation: RCMP
TORONTO — The RCMP say criminal charges have been laid against five people following an investigation into allegations of fraud by top leaders of the union that represents Ontario Provincial Police.
OPP Union Officials Face Criminal Charges Following Investigation: RCMP
Singer Meat Loaf Collapses On Stage During Concert In Edmonton
EDMONTON — A publicist for Meat Loaf say the singer's vital signs are "stable and normal" after he collapsed near the end of a performance in Edmonton.
Singer Meat Loaf Collapses On Stage During Concert In Edmonton
Squamish Nation Files Court Case To Overturn NEB Approval Of Trans Mountain
VANCOUVER — A British Columbia First Nation has launched a court challenge to overturn the National Energy Board's recommendation that the federal cabinet approve the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
Squamish Nation Files Court Case To Overturn NEB Approval Of Trans Mountain
'A National Celebration': CBC To Air Finale Of Tragically Hip's Tour In Hometown
The public broadcaster will carry the Hip's hometown show in Kingston, Ont., live on its television, radio and online platforms on Aug. 20 starting at 8:30 p.m. ET.
'A National Celebration': CBC To Air Finale Of Tragically Hip's Tour In Hometown
Morneau Briefing Book Raises Red Flags On Public Pension Investment
The document, obtained by The Canadian Press, said that between 1991 and 2013, private-sector pension coverage fell from 31 per cent to 24 per cent.
Morneau Briefing Book Raises Red Flags On Public Pension Investment
Ottawa Motorcyclist Charged After Allegedly Pointing Gun At Slow Drivers: Police
Ottawa police allege the man pulled a gun on other drivers who didn't give enough room to pass.