Leslie, you answered your own question in the last line of your post. So you achieved your goal which well help others like me. I am preparing to go out dressed soon. It proves being "read" is not a bad thing. Keep in mind that you were in very close range of the SA's like another poster stated. Getting read was inevitable. You might have passed without any interaction, but it really didn't matter.
I'm very scared of trying to go out in public, but I have to for me. My SO will accompany me for support though. I don't want to be outed in my own city and have asked about Toronto in the Meeting Place without any replies yet. Your post tells me acceptance will be good in Toronto. Keep in mind that Human Rights legislation for all of Canada states we cannot be discriminated against based on gender which applies to all gender categories on this board.
Congrats on what you have accomplished, you open doors for others like myself.
It sounds like the SA's had good training in the stores you went to EXCEPT they should have referred to you in the gender you were dressed in (she, her).
