Britain’s highest-ranking transgender soldier and her new actor husband have jetted off for their romantic honeymoon in Tel Aviv.
Jake and Hannah Graf – who both say they were born in the wrong body – explained how they picked the Israeli city because they wanted to go to somewhere ‘safe’ and ‘inclusive’ for their honeymoon – and knew how LGBT-friendly it is.
The couple, who are now based in Sandhurst, Berkshire, described how they are looking forward to spending some quality time together, after a whirlwind two months since their wedding in March.
Jake, 40, who is also a film director, and Army Captain Hannah, 31, say they have shown others ‘it is possible to find love’, declaring that ‘everyone deserves to be happy’.
Transgender couple Jake and Hannah Graf have jetted off on their honeymoon, after tying the knot in March
The couple are currently enjoying a luxury holiday in Tel Aviv, after picking the city because of how LGBT-friendly it is
The couple are staying at the luxury five-star Dan Hotel, which has hosted countless celebrities in the past including the likes of Madonna and Michael Jackson.
Jake said that the people of Tel Aviv have been ‘nothing but welcoming’, explaining how they picked the city because of its reputation for being inclusive.
Speaking to FEMAIL from their honeymoon, Jake said: ‘We’ve rarely experienced anything like this.
‘It’s so beautiful here. We were given an upgrade to a beautiful suite with a sea view. It’s absolutely stunning. We’ve been very lucky.’
Hannah, who is Britain’s highest-ranking transgender soldier, and Jake, an actor and film director, tied the knot in a romantic ceremony at Chelsea Register Office in March
He explained how it was important for him and Hannah, who is Britain’s highest-ranking transgender soldier, to feel ‘safe’ on their honeymoon.
‘Obviously being trans, there are places we wouldn’t go’, Jake said. ‘We wanted it to be somewhere we would be safe.
‘They’ve been nothing but welcoming here. There are rainbow flags everywhere, which is so positive to see.
‘It feels very safe and inclusive, which is so important for us, particularly for Hannah. Trans women do face a lot of abuse’.
The couple will be spending a lot of time on the beach on their four-day visit, as well as enjoying romantic dinners, seeing friends and watching the sunset.
The newlyweds, who both say they were born in the wrong body, are still revelling in the joy of their wedding day
Jason, 40, and Hannah, 31, say they’ve had an ‘outpouring of love’ from members of the public
Hannah, 31, said it was nice to be able to spend some quality time together after a whirlwind couple of months since their wedding.
The Army Captain has just taken up a new position at Sandhurst, where she and Jake have recently moved into office accommodation together.
‘Our lives can be quite hectic, so some downtime will be really lovely,’ Hannah said.
‘Jake is taking me somewhere quite romantic on Sunday, I’m not sure where yet but I’m really looking forward to it’.
The newlyweds have organised their honeymoon through LGBT travel agency OutOfOffice.com, who have created a tailored package for them.
The couple say the people of Tel Aviv have been ‘nothing but welcoming’ since they arrived
Both Jake and Hannah said it was important that they went somewhere ‘safe and inclusive’ on their honeymoon
‘They organised everything for us, from flights to accommodation. They sorted out our itinerary, and gave us pointers of where to go,’ Jake explained.
‘At the moment we wouldn’t go to places like Jerusalem anyway, because of the situation there.’
The couple say they have received overwhelming support since they hit the headlines earlier this year after tying the knot at Chelsea Register Office.
Jake and Hannah, who described themselves previously as ‘just like any other couple in love’, saw their story being covered by news outlets all over the world.
Jake, who directs his own films and starred in The Danish Girl, began gender reassignment in his late 20s, having known that he was ‘a boy inside’ from the age of two or three.
Film director Jake (pictured before his transition) began gender reassignment in his late 20s
Hannah, an Army Captain, (pictured before her transition) began her transition following a tour of Afghanistan
Hannah, who also felt alienated from her body growing up, began her transition following a tour of Afghanistan, after building up the courage to tell her commanding officer she was transgender.
The couple met through a mutual friend, first exchanging flirty messages on social media before going on a date.
After dating for a couple of years, Jake proposed to Hannah during a trip to New York, before the pair tied the knot in March this year.
Since the wedding, they’ve had strangers come up to them to congratulate them on their marriage.
‘When we are JFK airport together recently, we were approached by someone, who said “Are you Jake and Hannah? I saw your story, congrats!,” Jake recalled.
Jake and Hannah say they are enjoying quality time together after a whirlwind two months
The couple have described themselves previously as ‘just like any other couple in love’
‘We’ve had an outpouring of love from trans people, young and old. I think we’ve shown that you can have love, which we never thought we could have before.
‘We feel very lucky and privileged. The wedding was a wonderful moment when we got to share our positive story to the world. Hannah and I never thought we’d ever get this far.’
The couple say they definitely want children in the future, and are looking at their options.
‘Absolutely, we definitely want children. Jake used to be a manny and is great with kids,’ Hannah said.
‘I’ve got more broody recently as well’.
Jake added: ‘I’ve always wanted kids, but I never thought it was possible until I met Hannah.
‘It’s something that’s very important to us, whether we look at surrogacy or adoption. We’ve had gay friends who’ve adopted.
‘Hannah’s just so great with children. It makes my heart melt to see her with children.’
Jake said it was positive to see rainbow flags all over Tel Aviv since arriving there for their honeymoon
The couple are now hoping to start their own family, whether through surrogacy or adoption
The newlyweds hope their story shows others that ‘there is someone out there for everyone.’
‘Neither Hannah nor I thought we would ever find love, and marry. Obviously that’s happened for us,’ Jake said.
‘We’re looking forward to settling down together, and having the happy traditional lifestyle that we’ve always dreamed of.
‘Have faith that you’ll find someone for you. We all deserve to be happy.’