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
Indian-Origin Politician Harjinder Singh Starts Own Political Party In UK After Fall Out With UKIP
Harjinder Singh, a former UK Independence Party (UKIP) candidate for Birmingham's Perry Barr constituency, has set up the Open Borders Party as he disagrees vehemently with his former Eurosceptic party's immigration policy
Indian-Origin Politician Harjinder Singh Starts Own Political Party In UK After Fall Out With UKIP
Quebec 17-year-old Dead After Being Shot By Police Following Family Drama: Police
Provincial police, who are handling the investigation, say local police were called to a residence where the teen had attacked an older male family member.
Quebec 17-year-old Dead After Being Shot By Police Following Family Drama: Police
Manitoba's First Openly Gay MLA Looks Back On Career, Struggle For Rights
WINNIPEG — The early 2000s were not that long ago, but seem like a different era to Jim Rondeau.
Manitoba's First Openly Gay MLA Looks Back On Career, Struggle For Rights
How A Trade Feud With Canada Built Hundreds Of Homes In Places Like New Orleans
One little-known legacy of the now-expiring softwood lumber agreement: it spawned a massive, Canadian-funded humanitarian effort in the United States that people north of the border have never heard of.
How A Trade Feud With Canada Built Hundreds Of Homes In Places Like New Orleans
Put Away Your Shovel: On-demand Snow Removal Service Launching In Maritimes
HALIFAX — A New Brunswick man wants Atlantic Canadians to give their backs a break from shovelling this winter with a new on-demand snow removal service.
Put Away Your Shovel: On-demand Snow Removal Service Launching In Maritimes
Quebec Legislators Mulling Giving Themselves Hefty Pay Hike
The proposal is essentially the result of recommendations in a report from retired Supreme Court justice Claire L'Heureux-Dube on how to improve their pay conditions.