Interesting thread.
As a Post-Op in the 70s, the ultimate was to pass/blend/stealth/invisible. Confidence in yourself goes a long way for that. Never thought of it as a form of hiding in a closet. Society had very little knowledge of TS back then so that helped.
I guess I did well enough as NO one has ever questioned me. Had NO problem meeting men in non-trans clubs, of course men tend to just want a hookup there. Nowadays as an older person, people don't really look at you very much.
Whenever someone made the public eye like in the last few years. My partner and I would think about it, especially if we were together somewhere. Never with extended family as I have always been out with them from the start. Only work that knew was my job when I transitioned there. Jobs after that there were no problems.
When I go out places with all my new TG/CD friends, few of them worry about passing. I see quite a few that to me would have NO problem with "passing". But not sure if others see me as the same as them, but I don't care anymore. We go out in mixed groups of TG/TS/CD also wives/GF/BF.
Jennifer
You mention transitioning in the early 80s. Was this a full on or partial. If full on what year and age. Still looking for others from back then. Please pm if you want to answer in private.