Just Had a Very Unpleasant Experience at Work

[Wynternight]

Wow...I wonder if I just had my first incident of overt transphobia. I was checking in a patient from Nigeria who refused to look at me or answer questions with more than one or two words and then asked if he had a choice as to who checked in him. I asked him if there was an issue we could address together and he said no so I told him I would be happy to let someone else check him in and left the room. I present very androgonously at work and am quickly approaching male-fail so I wonder it that was his issue.

I feel like the world has turned sideways for me. I knew this would come one day but this is the first time.

[Rejennyrated]

May one enquire your occupation? The mention of a patient suggests a similar line of work to my own...

[Athena]

Hugs try to focus on those who support you then those that are bigoted.

[Wynternight]

May one enquire your occupation? The mention of a patient suggests a similar line of work to my own...

I'm a Nurse for the VA.

[Rejennyrated]

I'm a Nurse for the VA.

I see your problem... perhaps time for a change of presentation then. I hope your hospital has similarly strong policies to those in the UK.

In our hospital (and indeed all NHS hospitals) we have a VERY strict zero tolerance policy, if a patient refuses care from any member of staff on discriminatory grounds then they are formally informed that while they may refuse care, no other clinician will be made available to care for them.

Thankfully its not an issue for me as my transition was over 30 years before I started medicine, but for anyone transitioning its a pretty helpful policy.

[Wynternight]

I see your problem... perhaps time for a change of presentation then. I hope your hospital has similarly strong policies to those in the UK.

In our hospital (and indeed all NHS hospitals) we have a VERY strict zero tolerance policy, if a patient refuses care from any member of staff on discriminatory grounds then they are formally informed that while they may refuse care, no other clinician will be made available to care for them.

Thankfully its not an issue for me as my transition was over 30 years before I started medicine, but for anyone transitioning its a pretty helpful policy.

The VA has a zero tolerance policy in place as well but unless he tells the other nurse that checked him in that it was my presentation that made him ask for someone else there's nothing I can do on that front.

[jessical]

Who ended up treating him, a male or female nurse?  Just curious if it was a sexist thing or not.

[Wynternight]

Who ended up treating him, a male or female nurse?  Just curious if it was a sexist thing or not.

Female nurse. I asked her to try and get out of him what his issue with me was. He was seen by a male doctor.

[Wynternight]

Yep - it was my gender presentation. He told the other nurse that my long hair, earrings, and general appearance offended him. I also accidentally and indirectly outed myself to said colleague.**groan** Hell of a Monday for a Friday. 

[Newgirl Dani]

This really most likely has nothing at all to do with anything except the attitude fostered in Nigeria.  It is illegal to even speak for LGBT people (they have an anti propaganda law), same sex or LGBT relationships is punishable by up to 14 years in prison, AND in certain parts of Nigeria it is punishable by DEATH.

[Randi]

I just have to ask: How is a Nigerian eligible for care at a VA facility?

[Wynternight]

I just have to ask: How is a Nigerian eligible for care at a VA facility?

He's a veteran. All of our vets get care if they want it.

[jessical]

I'm a bit confused.  Even if you are a veteran from another country?

[Wynternight]

I'm a bit confused.  Even if you are a veteran from another country?

He served in the US military so he's eligible for care.

[ImagineKate]

That's terrible hon.

I'm getting questions from people at work now. I basically tell the transphobic ones politely where to deposit their questions. We have a non discrimination policy and my gender identity is covered.

And not for nothing it's usually foreign born people that are problematic. I'm foreign born myself so I know why. The attitudes against gays and transgender is horrific. In my old country sodomy and gay relations is 25 years in prison but now they stopped enforcing the law. The church has the governments ear and the constitution does not prevent that.