Heather Pilkinton

My childhood was the type that most only read about in books or true crime magazines; my mother was a drug addict, and the last thing she wanted to be was a parent. She abandoned me when I was a year and a half old; fortunately, I was found by my uncle after I had slept under a kitchen sink for three days, nursed only by an old mother cat.

I was born in a time when child abuse and drug addiction were still considered "private" matters, not to be discussed outside of the family...unless you were a member of the local gossip network. These factors were all compounded with the fact that I was an illegitimate child growing up in a small, religion dominated community. Needless to say, I did not have the most pleasant of childhood experiences.

Most people in the town where I grew up thought I would be nothing more than another drug addicted welfare queen; a high school dropout with a bunch of kids I couldn't support. I was told more than once I should hope that some man would be kind enough to marry me and take care of me, because I would never be able to take care of myself. I was even asked to leave a church, because having someone like me attend was tarnishing their image (and, being a bastard child, I wasn't going to Heaven, anyway).

When I was 15, I was adopted by a gay man. He made me realize everything I had been told growing up was nonsense; he helped me find my strength and my self worth. He taught me to see myself for who I truly was; a strong, vibrant person with talent and ambition to become so much more than had been prophesied for me. And while I have not become a millionaire (yet), I have done alright for myself...And I am no welfare queen.

Despite it all, I do not regret my childhood; for what it was, it gave me the ability to see things in a far different perspective than most. I understand the detrimental effects of prejudice, and I know how vital it is that all members of our society be recognized for their value, contributions and worth. I am also an avid supporter of gay rights.