The “T” in LGBT easily rolls off the tongue, but do all LGBT advocates understand how to be effective allies for transgender and gender non-conforming people?  That was the topic of discussion at a breakfast on Day 3 of the 27th International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference, taking place this weekend in Houston, Texas.

Dylan Orr, the first openly transgender person to receive a U.S. presidential appointment, joined nationally-known transgender activist Dr. Dana Beyer and Marisa Richmond, who serves on the board of the National Center for Transgender Equality, to talk about the politics and policies central to the fight to secure non-discrimination protections based on gender identity and expression.

Orr and Beyer lauded the Obama administration for taking historic (if small) steps to engage the transgender community and begin to address discrimination.

Richmond and Beyer, a graduate of the David Bohnett Leadership Fellows program offered by the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute, said engaging with other LGBT leaders to raise the profile of trans issues is important.

“If you know someone who’s transgender, invite them to lunch or dinner and really get to know their story.  Learn more about how gender issues impact all our lives,” said Richmond.

Beyer praised the leadership of Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., who she said speaks comfortably about the need for federal legislation to protect transgender Americans, and she said she was particularly heartened to see Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., evolve over time to become an effective champion for the transgender community.

Conference attendees are engaged in another full day of similar discussions on topics ranging from marriage equality to gathering LGBT health statistics.  A closing celebration is also on tap for this evening.