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.
MORE National ARTICLES
Home Renovation Expert And TV Host Mike Holmes Heading To Fort McMurray
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Canadian home renovation TV personality Mike Holmes says he will head to fire-ravaged Fort McMurray next week.
Home Renovation Expert And TV Host Mike Holmes Heading To Fort McMurray
Heavy Rains Cause Floods In Northeastern B.C., Damaging Rail Lines, Bridges
Mayor Merlin Nichols of Chetwynd issued the declaration Wednesday after about 100 mm of rain drenched the town of about 3,000 people, 100 kilometres west of Dawson Creek.
Heavy Rains Cause Floods In Northeastern B.C., Damaging Rail Lines, Bridges
Ontario Woman Calls Police After Finding Venomous Scorpion In Bedroom
Police in Owen Sound say the venomous critter had escaped from another resident's home Tuesday, a day before it appeared in the woman's apartment.
Ontario Woman Calls Police After Finding Venomous Scorpion In Bedroom
Online Grocery Shopping Offerings Expand As Canadians Warm Up To Buying Food On The Web
TORONTO — Major grocery store chains continue to expand their online shopping offerings as Canadians become more amenable to buying food on the Internet.
Online Grocery Shopping Offerings Expand As Canadians Warm Up To Buying Food On The Web
Bylaw Charges Laid Against Calgary Officer After Police Dog Bites Boy
CALGARY — A Calgary police dog handler faces charges after his canine escaped from his yard and bit a 12-year-old boy.
Bylaw Charges Laid Against Calgary Officer After Police Dog Bites Boy
Delayed Victoria Bridge Project Spans Continents, Cultural Issues
VICTORIA — It's less than 100 metres long, but costs and delays have ballooned for Victoria's Johnson Street Bridge replacement project in a cautionary tale involving standards for steel and a cultural divide that spans continents.