Chris Tripp, co-owner of Truckin’ Mamas On the Run at Bridgeview Park in Petrolia, raises one of PRIDE flags on June 1. “This one is not coming down,” he vowed. He had previously taken down a PRIDE flag after an argument with a customer over its presence. Tripp has been flying PRIDE colours for years and has dealt with vandalism because of it. But Tripp says no more and plans to keep the flags up in support of young people in the community.  “This event is not about me,” said Tripp. “There are too many LGBTQ youth who are wanting to get out of small towns like Petrolia because they don’t feel supported. There are too many youth dropping out of high school, attempting or dying by suicide. It is important to speak out and show the youth that they matter,” he said  Customers came out to support the event giving donations to Diversity Ed, a Sarnia group which provides services for 2SLGBTQAI+ and their families and provides diversity training.

Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative Photo