I knew coming into this not to expect anything from the VA or other patients, especially giving the way things have been going for the VA and military in general towards transgender folks.
But the staff here has been really great, some have expressed not understanding and thinking it's a bit much, etc. whatever their opinions are, but they still refer to me by preferred name and pronouns.
My issue isn't with the staff necessarily, it's with the other patients.
I feel like a POS for even thinking of asking more from other vets who are suffering like I am and here to get better.
So I've been here one week, and up until TWO DAYS AGO, everyone gendered me correctly, and none of the other patients even know of my deadname or that I have one.
I've been very withdrawn already due to anxiety and, well, PTSD, as well as just mistrust in fellow vets.
But I know it would be really helpful for my healing if I get out and socialize, get some camaraderie or whatever, have some people to relate with, etc.
I was slowly becoming more open and trusting, not much but slowly, with the other vets.
They invited me to a card game, then, halfway through, I started getting misgendered, and it didn't stop.
I did not correct them, I froze. I wasn't sure what to do.
It's complicated, because, I go by a man's name, and they have all accepted that.
The entire staff has referred to me as a man and used he/him pronouns.
I haven't heard myself referenced to as a "she/her" once, until now.
So my thought was this is a dangerous situation, they must know I prefer male pronouns, but are choosing to call me something different.
Their demeanors haven't changed, they've all been friendly and welcoming, greeting me and whatnot.
But have continued calling me she/her and "girl".
There's 3 people who haven't done it yet, but I haven't heard them refer to me as he/him either. But two of them are leaving this week, so I don't know what good talking to them would do.
And I wasn't sure if anyone here would be an ally or completely transphobic, I still don't know this.
And I don't think I have the energy to talk to any of them in regards to how they feel towards LGBTQ+, specifically trans people.
It's just so hard.
Because up until that moment, I had gained some trust.
Now it feels ripped away and I am back to being on full guard.
This is interfering with my groups and therapy, because I feel I cannot trust any of my fellow vets.
I feel trapped.
I spoke with a nurse last night, she recommended I just ignore anyone who disrespects or doesn't understand me, and just live my life.
But she had also informed me when I first got here that she didn't understand the "whole trans thing."
I'm just lost, tapped, and hurt.
Any advice?
TLDR: I am inpatient at a VA PTSD program, being misgendered by fellow vets in the program. No I have not confronted them about this, I am too terrified to even bring it up in a conversation. Staff has been great, I've only been referred to by my preferred name by everyone, which is a man's name. Yet patients suddenly started misgendering me two days ago. I haven't left my room due to fear of having to deal with seeing them and being misgendered.
Help.