Transsexual Rebecca finds joy with end to family feud
Sunday July 05 2009
Ireland's most high-profile transsexual has revealed that she has reunited with her family whom she once claimed had disowned her.
Rebecca Tallon Martinez, formerly known as Ross Tallon, was speaking in the run- up to the opening of the Wright Venue in Swords, the luxury four-floor venue where she will be hostess.
Rebecca, or Madam WV, as she is now known, described how she has finally found happiness in her life after a rollercoaster 20 years of drugs, abuse and false claims of HIV.
Crediting the social networking site Facebook for reuniting her with her family she said: "It's only happened quite recently. I learned how to use a computer and I came across my sister and I emailed her and she said she'd love to talk to me.
"So I kept in touch with them a lot through Facebook and I have built up a relationship with them again."
Speaking about her time apart from her loved ones, she explained: "I would have disowned me at that stage too.
"I was very difficult to be around. I've dealt with everything now, I've had therapy and my life has changed so much for the better."
And on her blossoming relationship with her mother, she said: "I saw my mom only yesterday. She's 75 but she's really accepting of me now. She says it's 'an awful pity you can't do anything about that oul voice'," she laughed,
"So that's great coming from her."
And she rubbished media claims that she has HIV or AIDS, saying: "I don't even remember doing those interviews. I wasn't fully coherent. I did have a battle with drugs and drink, but I'm completely clean and sober for over two years now.
"I'm fully healthy and have gotten the clean bill of health from the doctor.
"My family are around me now and they know that I'm OK. From here on in it's onwards and upwards. The past is the past."
The Wright Venue, part of a €38m development of shops, restaurants and wine bars, will open its doors in the north Dublin suburb on July 10, while the official celebrity VIP opening will take place on July 23.
Four personal party spaces named for the cities of New York, Miami, Las Vegas and LA will overlook the main dance floor.
The spaces will include amenities such as plasma TVs, games consoles, karaoke, satellite feed and Wi-Fi.
- NIAMH HORAN Entertainment News Reporter
