I guess when people who knew us in our previous gender presentation use our correct name and pronouns it's a that they have started to accept us for who we are. Even so I guess there are levels of acceptance where they really feel comfortable with us presenting as women, where they no longer see us as "men" and their general behaviour reflects that.
The other night I was out with a colleague, we'd just arrived at a function and I said to her I needed to use the ladies... and she said she did too. So we went in, there were two stalls, I went left she went right, and we chatted then and afterwards at the mirror - my first experience of that. I've heard Cindy mention similar experiences but it was my first. It was almost so utterly remarkable I had pretty much forgotten about it until this morning. I guess my point is that this colleague knew me for 15 years as a "man", she has always been supportive of my transition but did struggle with my name and pronouns for a few months but now, after only eight months, she has no hesitation about going to the ladies at the same time... I have a feeling (but I could be wrong) that it might have been a different story a few months back.
I guess part of it is also about earning trust but if people, even people who have known the male version, feel comfortable and safe with you and see you as female then acceptance is the result. Yes? No?