How to be an ally in non private situations while 'misgendering'
Hey folks!
As a cis guy, I was participating a group therapy session. An untiil this moment unknown person entered the room and I felt instantly a non-binary vibe (haircut, clothing). I will using they/them. The person introduced themself with a feminin first name but ask for using of a neutral nickname version. No asking for special pronomes.
The therapist (a woman in the 30ies) call they with 'Mrs. Xxx' instead of 'nickname'. They twitched a bit, but didn't say anything. My impression was that they felt uncomfortable with this naming.
I had the instinct, to say something, but thought that it would makes the situation worse. So I was mirroring the person.
In a break I was unsure, to ask the person, if my interpretation was right, but I wasn't make a big deal of it. Also I couldn't be sure that they wasn't saw themself as cis. I didn't saw they again after this event.
Ironically it happens in the street with the queer center of my city. But I keep it in my mind, if I could had act better. Any recommendations for a similar situation?