I'm sure many of you have had a similar experience, so I'm curious as to how you handled it.
I give blood on a regular basis but up until a few months ago, all my ID was still under my female name. I finally got it changed, received a new card, and had the sex changed to male in my records at the clinic. Every time I've gone since then has been much more comfortable. I'm always called by my chosen name. I dress like a guy and am pretty small chested to begin with so I just look like a younger guy.
However, I went a couple days ago and everything was fine until I was sitting down waiting for my name to be called. Out of nowhere, I heard my old name and I responded out of pure habit. It was a guy that knew me two years ago when I was at college because he saw me play baseball on the women's team. To top it off, I was sitting next to this guy's mother, who was also waiting. Once I had reacted, it was too late and I wasn't sure what to do. So I had to sit there for the next ten minutes having a conversation with this guy that I didn't even remember but who obviously remembered me!
So I guess my question is, when this happens is it better to pretend that we have no idea who they're talking about? Or is it best just to grin and bear it, and accept the fact that even after I'm on hormones and have had surgery, this could still happen because there's always the chance someone will recognize us.
I apologize for the long-winded post. I was just feeling really embarrassed about it and I was hoping for either some words of advice so for some shared stories so I know that it happens to everyone and it's not the end of the world
