Chrissy Gephardt calls herself a live-in lobbyist.

With Democratic presidential candidate Dick Gephardt as her father, the 30-year-old social worker said she had inside insurance that her dad's campaign focused on human issues.

Chrissy Gephardt spoke with a group of about 50 students Thursday night about her father's policies on civil rights, civil liberties, Iraq and lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender issues.

The latter is something of both personal interest to Chrissy Gephardt and of increased interest among some MSU Democrats.

Chrissy Gephardt, who is openly lesbian, works with women in the District of Columbia with mental illnesses, substance-abuse disorders and trauma.

"My father has told me, 'Chrissy, the best thing you can do in your life is listen to people,'" she said, adding that it's something both of them are committed to.

The oldest daughter of Dick Gephardt's three children, she's been touring the country sharing her father's message.

Chrissy Gephardt also touched on her father's LBGT policies.

She said Dick Gephardt has been addressing hate crimes, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act against gender identity and sexual-orientation discrimination in the workplace, civil unions, adoptions and the gay ban in the military.

Events such as Chrissy Gephardt's discussion show the beginning of the connection between Democrats and LBGT groups, social relations and women's studies sophomore Jon Hoadley said.

Hoadley is head of the new MSU Stonewall Democrats organization, an LBGT caucus of MSU College Democrats.

Randy Niece, chairman of MSU Students for Dean and a political theory and constitutional democracy senior, said he came to the discussion because LBGT rights are an emerging issue.

"In 20 years, this will not be an issue, because I think it will be acceptable," he said. "But now it's important Democrats have unity on these issues to support them."

And even if they don't vote for Dick Gephardt, Chrissy said she still wants to inspire people to vote.

"This is one of the most important elections ever and I'm passionate people get involved in this," she said. "I don't even care if you want to vote for Bush; I just want you to vote."