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
Canadian Man Ordered Held In Jail Until 4th Trial Of 1988 Double Killing
Anthony Barnaby pleaded not guilty in September to murder charges.
Canadian Man Ordered Held In Jail Until 4th Trial Of 1988 Double Killing
Government Will 'Get It Right' On Getting Oil, Gas To Tidewater, Says Jim Carr
OTTAWA — Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr acknowledges there's considerable urgency to building new Canadian pipeline capacity to tidewater, even as new roadblocks continue to appear.
Government Will 'Get It Right' On Getting Oil, Gas To Tidewater, Says Jim Carr
10 Years Later, Canadian Diplomat Glyn Berry's Death In Kandahar Still Unpunished
The family intends to mark today's sombre anniversary with a quiet celebration of Berry's life and legacy, his widow Valerie told The Canadian Press.
10 Years Later, Canadian Diplomat Glyn Berry's Death In Kandahar Still Unpunished
'i Am Not Donald Trump,' Says Brash Kevin O'leary, Mulling Bid For Tory Leadership
Both of them are business titans, authors, and TV personalities — one actively running to lead the U.S. political right, and the other thinking about doing the same in Canada.
'i Am Not Donald Trump,' Says Brash Kevin O'leary, Mulling Bid For Tory Leadership
Safe Injection Service Within Vancouver HIV Centre Gets Federal Approval
The centre cares for HIV patients who may also have complex health and social issues, including mental illness and addictions.
Safe Injection Service Within Vancouver HIV Centre Gets Federal Approval
Alberta Health Services Urging People To Get Flu Shot; 5 Deaths, 4 Not Immunized
Alberta Health Services says there have been five flu-related deaths in the province since the beginning of the year and four of those who died had not been immunized.