An alumnus will host an “Abilene Allies” event at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Courtyard Marriott.

Damon Parker, minister at the Refuge church, said the meeting will allow people who want to support the LGBT community to gather to discuss issues. This meeting will focus on how local residents can support specifically ACU students in response to the announcement of a policy prohibiting student workers from having same-sex dating relationships.

“An ally loves and affirms all people as they are,” Parker said.

He said he believes many people in the churches in Abilene believe the same way but don’t know who else is like-minded. The meeting will allow “allies” to meet and talk about how to advocate for LGBT students. He said people who are not employed or students at the university may have more freedom to speak on behalf of the LGBT community.