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
B.C. Court Tosses Former Gang Members' Bid To Appeal Murder Convictions
VERNON, B.C. — Three members of a former Vernon, B.C., gang have lost their bid to have murder and other convictions overturned.
B.C. Court Tosses Former Gang Members' Bid To Appeal Murder Convictions
B.C. Tugboat Makes Fodors List Of World's Best Cruises For 2016
VICTORIA — An expedition aboard a converted tugboat to B.C.'s Great Bear Rainforest is on Fodors' list of the world's best cruises for 2016.
B.C. Tugboat Makes Fodors List Of World's Best Cruises For 2016
Crown Wants Guy Turcotte To Serve At Least 20 Years Before Parole Eligibility
SAINT-JEROME, Que. — Prosecutors want a former Quebec doctor convicted of murdering his two children to serve at least 20 years behind bars before being eligible to apply for parole.
Crown Wants Guy Turcotte To Serve At Least 20 Years Before Parole Eligibility
Blackberry Downplays Priv Sales As Its Third-quarter Results Beat Expectations
WATERLOO, Ont. — If BlackBerry's latest Priv smartphones are flying off shelves, the company isn't boasting about it.
Blackberry Downplays Priv Sales As Its Third-quarter Results Beat Expectations
Richard Suter, Edmonton Man Gets 4 Months For Failing To Provide Breath Sample In Child's Death
Richard Suter, a 65-year-old retired businessman, had pleaded guilty to failing to provide a breath sample in a death — a relatively new criminal offence that carries a maximum life sentence.
Richard Suter, Edmonton Man Gets 4 Months For Failing To Provide Breath Sample In Child's Death
Conservative Riding Association In Winnipeg Says $95,000 In Money Is Missing
WINNIPEG — About $95,000 has disappeared from a federal Conservative riding association in Winnipeg.