Back when it was cool to smoke, and to smoking cigarettes was advised on television, one famous tobacco company advertisement proclaimed 鈥淵ou鈥檝e come a long way, baby,鈥� in its sexist attempt to lure females to their brand.

The phrase parlayed its way into the common lexicon and is now often used to highlight changing times.

Well, the phrase is certainly apt for 91大黄鸭 these days鈥攁s it relates to a myriad of aspects. The city is growing up, figuratively and literally, as well as physically and socially, and much of that change is being driven by city hall.

Sure, there are still many small town and ultra conservative attitudes held and expressed by some here, but the 91大黄鸭 of 2016 is a very different place than it was 20 years ago.

For a person familiar with this city in the early 鈥�90s鈥攐r even more starkly, the 鈥�60s, 鈥�70s or 鈥�80s鈥攔eturning here after years away, 91大黄鸭 looks very different.

But there鈥檚 something else, something some feel is even more important鈥攁cceptance. (I don鈥檛 use the word tolerance here, as that would indicate just putting up with others and other people鈥檚 views.)

While 91大黄鸭鈥檚 current mayor is getting plenty of attention for pushing inclusiveness, he stands on the shoulders of his two predecessors, who together with their councils paved the way for change.

Some may find that odd given that his immediate predecessor, Walter Gray, was the man whose actions during his first stint in office in the late 鈥�90s concerning a proclamation for the then-named Gay Pride Day were so controversial. It gave the city a black eye. But Gray learned from his mistake and during his second stint in office helped encourage local Pride celebrations. Before that, the socially-minded mayor, Sharon Shepherd, was a lightening rod for social issues, and made them a cornerstone of city policy, much to the chagrin of some.

Fast forward to today and Colin Basran, much younger than his predecessors, and a man who made it clear from his election night victory speech that the word inclusion would not just be lip service at city hall.

But that message has not been met with support in all quarters.

An upset resident who took umbrage at the city painting a rainbow-coloured crosswalk downtown called Basran 鈥淢ayor Sugarplum,鈥� meaning it as an insult. But Basran ran with it, the local Pride society organized last weekend鈥檚 Sugarplum Ball and asked Basran to host it鈥攊n drag.

Basran accepted鈥攁lthough the initial description of how he鈥檇 appear, 鈥渢ransformed in drag,鈥� turned out to be simply face makeup and a sparkly bow tie, not the full dress, wig and makeup of others asked to participate.

Prior to the event, the story of Basran鈥檚 plan to host the ball in drag made national news, so his lack of female attire may have disappointed some. But the message was clear鈥攖he city supports its LGBTQ community.

There have been plenty of other examples of the city鈥檚 support for diversity and inclusion as well鈥攁 large menorah in Stuart Park during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, council participation in the annual Sikh Vaisakhi and Muslim Ramadan celebrations, as well as support for local Chinese celebrations.

Like any journey, it just takes one step to start. 91大黄鸭鈥檚 initial steps have set it off down a road few may have envisioned鈥攂ut many hoped for鈥攁ll those years ago.

Alistair Waters is the assistant editor of the 91大黄鸭 Capital News.