I'm a big fan of Dan Savage, the sex advice columnist, and he's a firm believer in the idea that visibility brings acceptance. He believes (rightly so, IMO) of the acceptance of gays in the populace was caused by more and more gays coming out of the closet, so that straight people knew someone who was gay, and that changed the acceptance of gays in a large part of the population (there is still a percentage not accepting, of course, generally from fundamental Christians, or members of a certain political party--unless of course, the members of that party happen to have a gay son or daughter).
My wife often asks me what will I do if I get outed? I tell her then I would start doing outreach, public speaking and the like.
I've gotten out probably 20+ times over the last year (went out today). The SAs at my favorite Nordstrom know me, and are happy to see me. I try to be a positive role model for CDs; dress appropriately, be polite, etc. I've never had a bad experience, but many, many positive experiences.
I think the emergence of Caitlyn Jenner is also a positive. When a muffle sees a TG person, they don't know whether that individual is on the TS spectrum or the cross-dressing spectrum. I think her emergence has also helped the visibility of TG individuals.
In the end, as more CDs come out, I believe the stigma of being of CD will lessen. But it's going to take a while.
