An LGBT group in west Kentucky is hoping to bring local attention to the issue of family separation at the Mexican-American border.
The Pennyrile Pride Alliance is hosting a 'Families Belong Together' rally on Saturday in Madisonville.
The event is part of a national effort of the same name. Kentucky First Congressional District nominee Paul Walker and Hopkinsville Councilman Elect Reverend Doctor Darvin Adams are scheduled to speak. Walker, a Democrat, says people in the district asked him to help make the situation better.
"What I can do now is speak at an event and make sure that people know where I stand on this and that’s about as far as I can go," Walker said. "It’s really up to our current elected officials to do more to make sure that this is taken care of."
Pennyrile Pride Alliance founder and director Cody Lander says his group has participated in other rallies such as 'March For Our Lives.'
The Saturday event is being promoted in English and Spanish, but Lander says it’s unknown how many people from the Latino community will be there. He suggested - like some LGBT-events - some people may fear repercussions.
"And because this is our first event in Madisonville like this, people are going to have the same feelings about them, that it may affect their relationship with the community, it may affect their job, that it may affect a whole slew of issues," Lander said.
Lander says the Pennyrile Pride Alliance is a nonpartisan group and does not endorse candidates that speak at their events.
