A friend of mine, who is openly trans, and is still working and living in a very male dominated business, has often said;"if they liked you before, they'll still like you after. If they didn't like you before, they won't like you after." It makes sense that, outside of the dynamics of the immediate family, a lot of the reaction to a persons idiosyncrasies will depend on how good the relationship is between the two parties. Since your neighbor felt comfortable enough to be knocking on you door at 7:45 in the evening to ask for your help, it is obvious that you have a good relationship, and he considers you a friend. You are both lucky and can take pride in your good relationship with your neighbors. That is more important than assumptions about what state you are in.
You might be in a better position than you think to discuss this with him, and the other neighbor as well.
More than likely they will adjust their thinking on trans issues because it is you rather than the other way around.
And, by the way, you have no need to apologize for your writing. You communicate clearly and well.
