I was supposed to attend LIPA in 2005 but couldn't bring myself to do it. If I attended as a female I was sure I wouldn't get far, or get any interesting roles based on appearance. Not to mention I thought the authenticity I wanted to bring to it just wouldn't be there because I didn't feel authentically female. How could I do a convincing performance as one when I couldn't connect with what women feel or want? etc. I stood out in my own life as one that didn't quite convince and took this as a cue.
That ruined my entry into any career back then. Took a long break when I seriously considered transition because frankly feel that too would ruin any serious career in the industry to enter while in the middle of a transformation (however post-transition, I will make a break for it). Once I started looking and sounding male I got back into it at the local theater but I have definitely lowered my expectations and felt it best to begin again one the other side of the country with a new name. I did not want to end up doing stuff related to LGBT. That would not reflect my ability or challenge it, so I've avoided that completely, although it could be a viable option for any trans actor/actress to gain some visibility and acclaim.
Determination, networking and putting everything you have into the craft is all I can figure to do. The industry can be pretty ruthless and everything you do informs the next step. Don't give up, though. If you love it, keep doing it. The more I learn about successful actors the more I can see that lots of them didn't come from typical background or get where they are along some straightforward route. It was a lot more depressing to view from a female perspective knowing how if you're young and attractive that's great but if you're not it becomes 10x harder to land a decent gig. That said there's female actors in the industry at the moment with less feminine characteristics who are doing okay, and got in by playing characters that weren't conventional.
Someone once said we must be part masochists to want to be actors, to wanna get torn down for not being this or that every audition. I think that's kinda true, haha. I'd try to solidify your rep as a serious actor from the beginning, and take as many challenging but thoughtful roles as you can, I think that can avoid some of the industry pitfalls maybe.
I think theater is a hell of a lot more friendly/accommodating than TV and film to people who aren't cookie cutter lead material in this respect, but you might find it different.
