Unfortunately, I think the problem started with the overzealous activists in the broader LGBT community who pressed for the passing of laws to open up restrooms, force bakeries to make cakes for gay couples, etc. The NC law and its cousins are a response to that. I don't think I ever heard of this being an issue until the activists started making it an issue. I don't recall tons of posts on this site or anywhere else that recounted a confrontation when a MTF went into a women's restroom. I did it loads of times in my days of trying to "pass." While I welcome the greater attention to our community, that attention has also drawn out the bigots. Change in society takes time and is not something that can be legislated (you can make the law, but you can't change peoples attitudes overnight). In the short-term, I thing the activism has actually hurt our community and portrayed it in an intolerant light (intolerant of those who do not understand us or have different views). We need to take a step back and recognize that there are in fact people who are scared of the possible (but extremely improbable) case where someone might use the laws creating open bathrooms for something bad and simply do not understand what being trans or CD is (we can thank Jerry Springer and similar programs for the bizarre stereotypes out there).