Gloria Holland is passionate about what she believes is fair for her daughter. "This young woman was born in Oregon, grew up and was educated here, holds down solid employment, and pays her bills. It is unbelievable that this wonderful woman, or any other man or woman, should be legally discriminated against!"

Gloria served on the board of the Oregon Safe Schools and Communities Coalition (OSSCC) for two years, and is active with the Salem chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Along with another PFLAG mom, she has given nearly 20 Safe Schools presentations to the staff of high schools and middle schools, university MAT students, and local community groups. In addition, she has staffed Gay Youth Summits and testified at the Oregon legislature. Her work with OSSCC and her first-hand experience as a teacher have made Gloria acutely aware of the need to protect GLBTQ youth. "I have heard numerous testimonies regarding discrimination and abuse. I think it is the kids in school who suffer the constant barrage of slurs and put-downs who are most at risk. As a former teacher, I heard anti-gay language daily, and my teacher friends say the trend continues." She believes that educators must create an environment that is safe for all students and staff.

Gloria commented on the disparity between the rights of her 3 straight stepchildren and the rights her daughter, who identifies as bisexual, would be entitled to in a same-gender relationship. Her married stepchildren "are entitled to over 1000 federal rights which are denied gay persons simply because of their sexual orientation." She added, "The people of the state of Oregon wrote discrimination against my daughter into our Constitution!"

Gloria explained that there is a difference between the legal rights of civil marriage and the sacrament of religious marriage. Gloria and her husband of 19 years were married by a judge, "with no mention of any God." In her mind, her civil marriage is essentially a civil union. She explains "Had we wanted a sacrament, we could have gone to a church, but we didn't, and lo-and-behold- we're just as married as the folks next door."

Gloria is a strong voice for equality and she encourages others to speak out as well. "It's my humble opinion that GLBTQ people are going to have equal rights only when they are able to speak out, come out, be seen, be heard, and be found to not be something to fear. There is an irrational element out there who would bury this issue and everyone connected with it, because they don't know what they're dealing with, which is simply other human beings."