this year's model
begging the medics to let her die, thinking, "I'm such
a failure, I can't even kill myself properly."
However, it proved to be a turning point. Shortly after her discharge
from hospital she joined an HIV women's support group where not only could
she be open about her status but felt supported. It also helped her to
see her problems in perspective. "There were a hell of a lot of people
worse off than me."
The dam burst. Rebekka went public about her HIV status, initially in
a piece of 'performance theatre' and then in a blaze of publicity accompanying
an interview in leading American gay magazine, The Advocate, where she
talked not only about being HIV positive, but also about her bisexuality.
Rebekka describes herself
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as 'pansexual' - meaning that she doesn't discriminate in her sexual
choice.
Since going public, Rebecca now 34, has found herself in her new role
as Aids educator.
"I give HIV, STIs and teenage pregnancy a human face. I'm somebody
they can relate to." She talks openly to kids about her teenage low
self-esteem, her drug and alcohol
use, and unprotected sex.
