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
No Fishing Allowed On Portion Of Shuswap River
ENDERBY – The Province is closing a small section of the Shuswap River around Trinity Bridge to angling, to protect migrating chinook salmon.
No Fishing Allowed On Portion Of Shuswap River
HSBC Investment Divisions Settle With B.C. Securities Commission On Over-Charging
VANCOUVER — The B.C. Securities Commission says two divisions of the HSBC Bank Canada have settled with the regulator after over-charging investment clients.
HSBC Investment Divisions Settle With B.C. Securities Commission On Over-Charging
Campaign Reminds British Columbians That Alcohol And Boating Don’t Mix
If you think drinking and boating is a good mix, have a word with yourself.” Posters with this message will be featured in BC Liquor Stores throughout the province in July
Campaign Reminds British Columbians That Alcohol And Boating Don’t Mix
B.C., Ontario Expected To Lead Provinces In Economic Growth: Conference Board
OTTAWA — The Conference Board of Canada is predicting Ontario and British Columbia will lead other provinces in terms of economic growth between now and the end of 2017.
B.C., Ontario Expected To Lead Provinces In Economic Growth: Conference Board
Man Charged In Three Deaths, Including A Father And Daughter, To Appear In Court
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — A trial date is expected to be set in Lethbridge today for a southern Alberta man accused of killing three people including a father and his daughter.
Man Charged In Three Deaths, Including A Father And Daughter, To Appear In Court
Justin Trudeau Says 'Reason To Believe' Canadian Hostage Killed In The Philippines
OTTAWA — Canada is mourning with the family of a Canadian man killed by a militant group in the Philippines, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today.