Abedy

Huh huh... Thanks to you two for the kind remarks

For anyone interested, here are two recent photos of me without skydiving clobber on Hugs, Hannah The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

Frankly said, this was my first intention: To give an example. I myself was saved by a transition timeline of a transwoman from Israel who was about my age when she started. I thought "Can you also do it?" and knowing I got nothing to lose and could commit suicide anyway if I failed started my transition. So maybe by showing others that a 53-year old bald person can successfully transition may give just this one shove away from the cliff back to safe grounds. As fro Bruce Jenner, the only person to tell us if he is transgender is... Bruce Jenner. Too bad that so many cheap jokes are made on his expense. It's so hurtful to other transgender people, especially the ones still closeted and scared to death about how the world will react if they dare to come out. Three interesting links: http://www.mtv.com/news/2070344/what-are-the-rules-for-talking-about-bruce-jenner-heres-what-mtv-news-is-and-isnt-saying/?fb_ref=fbshare_web http://theindiechicks.com/bruce-jenner-whats-not-said-transition/ http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/02/02/bruce_jenner_gender_identity_gossip_is_dangerous_and_disrespectful.html?wpsrc=sh_all_mob_tw_bot Blue skies and Big Hugs from Germany, Hannah

Thank you very much, and you're welcome. I hope I can explain what it means to be trans and that we are human beings in a kinda not too boring way. Interestingly enough, so far only girls have given me feedback All the best & Hugs, Hannah The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

Oh I forgot: There are pics of me tandem skydiving online on Skydive Leipzig's website. Look here, for example: http://skydive-leipzig.de/wp-content/gallery/september-2014/img_0064.jpg The photos - once again - prove that everyone is ugly in freefall. The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

I bought the CD they day it became available here in Germany. Great, great, great and so true, especially Transgender Dysphoria Blues. "You want them to notice the ragged ends of your summer dress. You want them to see you like they see every other girl. They just see a faggot. They'll hold their breath not to catch the sick." Laura Jane Grace has produced a documentary that can be watched online: http://on.aol.com/show/true-trans-518250660/518451031?icid=aolhomepage_rightrail (You might need to tell Ghostery or other blockers to please not block anything.) Really good and interesting documentary. Hugs, Hannah The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

I later learned I wasn't the first. She even jumped in Germany but has retired from tandem biz. So I am at least the only active transgender TI in the world. At least that I know of - nobody has surfaced so far to tell they also are. But mainly it was a way to shamelessly draw attention. The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

Men are soooo predictable You have a small chance, as some transwomen reported their sexual preference changed after 5+ years of hormone replacement therapy. The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

I could not have written it any better. Thanks so much. And life has proven it right. Looking forward to what future holds for me. Hugs, Hannah The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

Sigh. Being transgender is NOT NOT NOT a choice. I was born this way. I thought about ending it all when I pretended to be a man. When I came out and admitted to myself, my life completely changed. I am so happy. Life is right and real now. I got a lot of positive feedback - I am the one for passengers that are anxious "Hannah calms 'em" But yeah, you may hold my past against me. Lucky me to not have you as my DZO. Never mind. The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

Thanks, my dear. I am fine. I was just so busy, sorry... I read about "Transparent" on Facebook and as far as I see it it is mainly welcomed by transgender persons. Most of all, as it deals with the ones who are not young, pretty, blend in so easily. Which is so many of trans folks. Jennifer Finney Boylan was a consultant which obviously helped a lot. Thanks for your links! Unfortunately, I don't have an internet connection fast enough and I doubt it's available to non-US viewers. I hope it will be available on DVD. As an exchange I may suggest the book "I am Jazz" which explains what it means to be transgender in a way that kids can understand. It's available via Amazon, though I got it through my local bookstore Hugs, Hannah The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

Just a last follow-up from me here. (I'll write an article for Blue Skies Magazine, so you'll have something to read in ink in the winter ) I made my 500th tandem jump on Sunday eight days ago but was too busy to immediately boast here I have made 60+ tandem jumps this year so far with probably 5 or even 10 more in the pipeline as my new DZ - Skydive Leipzig - is going to end jump season not before 16 November. NONE of my passengers has asked any questions regarding my gender, none of their friends and family, nobody. Not me, not any other staff. Jumpers have unconditionally embraced me and all of them call me Hannah and I am Hannah to them. Unconditionally. Nobody ever misgendered me. What a great dropzone! (http://www.skydive-leipzig.de) I became a granny one week ago. How cool is that and who can tell they became a dad at 21 and a granny at 53 I filed for change of first names and gender marker and it was granted on 30 September (the studio pic was taken on that day) Paperwork will take some time, though but I shall have my new passport and other docs before New Year's eve. Ain't life grand? Hugs and kisses (to girls only, sorry guys, I'm still lesbian ), Hannah The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

Thanks so much. You'd be pretty surprised about my voice. I have never been Sir-ed on the phone since November 2013, but it was hard training that had cost me a lot of tears... And yes, I am so glad and happy I can be my true self. This tandem thing was the only blow I was dealt but now I am fine here as well, heh heh Hugs, Hannah The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

It is pretty tough a job to do, but as mentioned, if I have my gear packed, I can do it all day long. I even managed 92 kg (200 lbs) at zero wind. Hugs, Hannah The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

Short follow-up: Made my 1900th jump on Saturday (26 July) and made 11 tandem jumps over the weekend. Strength is OK, but I now have my gear packed = no sore muscles I learned my transition hasn't have any impacts on my abilities as a TI - neither for the good aspects nor for the not-so-good-ones - which means I still need to improve my exits. I have developed the habit to toss the drogue within a second and now am working on it (to only throw it when we are really belly-to-earth) I feel very comfortable at my new DZ (http://www.skydive-leipzig.de) - I am invited to come over for 6 or more weekends in 2014 and will be official staff member in 2015. Subsequently, I will cancel my membership in the club I am a member of currently and join that Leipzig folks (Go figure! ) So much for it. See photo of me at DZ Leipzig. The 2nd one is how I dress as a TI - a bandana does it, I think. My boobs are rather petite but are sufficient to trigger men's attention. No complaints, questions (That a girl or a boy?), remarks whatsoever, even in this male-fail-outfit. The third one is me at Prom Night of my college. First time I could wear what I really liked to ;-) Keep in touch, and be careful out there

Thanks to you and the others for the nice replies

Hi fellow skydivers, I have good news to share. After all the disappointment I had to go through due to people talking about and making decisions regarding me without actually talking with me and subsequently barring me from making tandem jumps I got a phone call last Monday. A DZ about 100 miles away from where I live was short of TIs. The guy who called had known me since 2002 and was puzzled when I answered the call. If that was the number of one [My natal name] - that female voice didn't match, huh huh. Long story short - I explained that I am trans and that others had issues but that I would be more than glad to help and that I was current, my rig was OK and well... he shortly talked it over with his TIs and other instructors: Go ahead! So I went there. Such a warm welcome! I was Hannah, just Hannah, from the start. They checked my gear, my documents, if I was current, explained plane (Pilatus Porter, great plane!) and DZ with me, some safety questions. By the end of Sunday I had made 8 tandem jumps (half of which were guys 190 lbs and more) and each jump was fun both for me and my guests. Too bad the weather didn't allow for 2 or 3 more jumps I was "pure" Hannah (means no wig [just a bandana] and no push-up bra) but none of my students/guests asked anything like "You a girl?" - I was Hannah to them. Same with their family and friends - staff and jumpers noticed that... there was nothing to notice. No whispering, no giggling, no stares, no questions. [*] I looked just like this: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=143119; I think it's the "whole package" - I am Hannah. A 53-year old, sporty and active woman who loves to fall out of planes and enjoys very close company when doing so. If you are confident of yourself, you don't need any "props". Just be yourself and people see your true self. All my students/guests thanked me, hugged me and referred to me with "Hannah", "she" and "her" and left with a smile. And I was soooo happy, too. I was not judged based on hearsay but by what I had made and by what they learned from my by talking with me. We went out for dinner to a nearby Chinese restaurant on Saturday night and I told them about what it means to be trans and a little about me. Some questions, none of which was "below the waist line" I was not only happy because I had fun and had managed to make all my students experience a nice ride but also because I could prove that transgender girls^T women can also make tandem jumps without any problems and without ruining the DZ's reputation. They told me they will invite me to come over again, which adds to my being happy Hugs, Hannah [*] Some folks may have thought "Wow, she looks butch" - if at all! - but if so, that is fine as this means I was seen as... the woman I am. The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

Dear DougH, thanks for your good wishes. Yes, I know those macho students. Big-mouthed and making misogynist, sexist and even homophobic remarks. ("Transgender" is usually out of their mind's reach...) I have always rejected such remarks and told them to please stop it. Funny thing: These big-mouths usually get very shy and almost mute when it comes to exiting. They are a nuisance to any instructor, indeed. I think that's the bottom line. Well, I'll just see how things are going to develop. I won't beg nor sue. If they don't want to let me jump, so be it. I've got much more important biz to do

Thanks so much for the heads-ups. Rover didn't want to be offensive, I know now. I will look if I may do tandems again. Thank the Lord it's only a hobby not my job. But the extra bucks came in handy for things such as electrolysis and the thousands of extra miles to drive to therapy, specialists etc pp. I won't make my happiness dependent on the fact if I am allowed to do tandems or not. It would be nice to reach tandem jump #500 or at least do one or two "final" jump to consciously say "Good-bye" to tandem jumping. I'll keep you posted! Hugs, Hannah The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

Hi VanillaSkyGirl, thanks so much for your warm reply. I am often told I always smile on my Hannah photos. I wonder how come As for "educating" - that's something I do from the bottom of the heart. I am reaping so much of what others before me sowed and now it's my turn to "pay back" a little and the most effective way is to give people the chance to meet/learn about transgender persons' lives which is considered the most effective way to get over wrong ideas and stereotypes. All the best and Hugs, Hannah The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

At least you are being honest which I value. As for the "it's up to you to turn it into sth positive" - I won't answer it as it's extremely upsetting. The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks

Thanks for the comments about "I" - I sometimes stick to insider-lingo instead of speaking clearly... Just for everybody: I learned that I am NOT the world's 1st transgender TI. There is at least one transwoman here in Germany who not only holds a TI license but is also an AFFI, I heard. The second new: Seems I won't have any chance to do tandems in this season, at least not here in my state. I wrote a more detailed article here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4642042#4642042 But again: What really matters is I now live the way it should have always been and that's what makes me so happy. And if I ever feel down, I only need to give two or three lessons at my college - my students are so great. They see me, call me and refer to me as who I am: "Ms Kruse" and this does me so good. I am so proud of my students and subsequently am so hopeful for the future and for trans people to come out in the years to come...

Well folks, thanks again to all of you for your tips and I would have loved to tell you how I got them into practice... Unfortunately, the DZO that only recently told me "I'll let you jump" changed his mind and told me I couldn't do tandems there. The arguments he gave did not convince me. I have the idea that DZOs phoned each other and agreed to "speak with one voice" but that's just what I think. But the domino effect is interesting: The first DZO (of a Ltd) grounded me (because I am "mentally unstable" now) and wherever I showed up after, I was told I couldn't do tandems even though I had been given a heads-up before. Again: This is annoying as nobody had really talked to me about what it means to be trans to learn that it isn't a "mental disorder", or what "socially transitioning" or "the surgery" and "hormones" really mean (and don't mean) etc. But so be it. They are the powers-to-be and I am just the impertinent man in a dress who wants to jump no matter the grave risks this means to innocent students' lives. (Yes, all three DZOs not only one time slipped and referred to me as 'he', 'man who tosses in stuff' etc and told me they are liberal persons and didn't have anything against "this" but... (yes, all three of them didn't even brought themselves to name it 'being transgender!') and everyone was free to do to their body whatever they liked to - and one even put it: "be it jumping of a cliff, drinking themselves to death or 'something like this'" (yes, this 'this' again, and it's a charming comparison, huh?) And again, I am too busy living the way it should have been from the beginning. My time is too precious to waste it on petty things like DZOs clinging to strange ideas about trans people. Of course, I would have liked to do my final tandem jumps in my early 50s as a woman and maybe even managing to do the last 40 jumps to celebrate my 500th tandem... But Carsten was the record chaser, the one to wear numbers as a badge of malehood. Hannah just shrugs and minds her biz that really matters. I will make up my mind whether to sell my tandem stuff or just wait until the next season any trying again but I do know I'll rather burn my stuff than sell it to any of the TIs who just stood around, learned what happened and didn't even try to help or at least comfort me. Nuff bitched Hugs, Hannah

It is much better when "being different = being alien/wrong/gross..." is overcome by society. L, G and B have reached a good deal of acceptance so far and now T and I need to be helped to achieve equal rights as well, as both minorities are so tiny compared to society as a whole they can't reach "critical mass" on their own and thus are dependent on allies. (See pic attached...) Though the T has reached a tipping point now it seems, considered TIME magazine's latest cover. And yes, living a life true to myself is sooooo good, real, right, liberating....

Huh huh, I also thought "Them TIs must have loooong arms" just like Dr. Teeth of Electric Mayhem Thanks for the input, my dear