The Vanderbilt Lambda Association, in conjunction with Nashville's The Equality Project, asked students registered to vote in Tennessee to take their civic involvement to the next level — lobbying for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights in state legislature.

Lambda's publicity chair and organizer of "Lobbying 101," Sara Nou, said she began working with TEP last year and hopes Vanderbilt students will consider lobbying as well, especially in the organization's upcoming Advancing Equality Day in mid-February.

"It would have a huge impact on legislators to see Vanderbilt students, who are headed somewhere in their careers, fighting for these issues," she said.

"Nashville wants to keep bright students like Vanderbilt students in their community."

It will mean something to them to see these students concerned about this issue, she said.

The session briefed students on both the issues facing the GLBT community and how lobbying can protect GBLT rights. Klint Peebles, president of Lambda, said the purpose the event was to educate members of both Lambda and the community on how the process works, from etiquette to the key players in the Tennessee legislature.

Though the lobbying will take place during classes, Nou said she hope some students will consider going downtown to Legislative Plaza.

The sheer presence of bodies can be enough to make an impact, she said.