This post struck me - the part about the attraction of being the pal of a trans kid.
Neighbours kid decided she was trans at 14 ish. Tomboyish, outdoorsy but artistic girl. A bit of a loner, no sign of lots of friends hanging round her, or any buzzing social life. Some of which may be explained by the young age and our rural location.
Suddenly shaved head, dyed remaining fuzz the usual teal and oh looky looky, that summer holiday the house was crawling with teenage girls hanging out with their trans buddy. Kid was suddenly a local celebrity and loved it. Crashed and burned on exams as too distracted by being famous and socially in demand, till at 16, 17 the girls that hung about moved on to real boys they could snog, and celebrity kid's fanclub was no more.
Kid is really interesting and creative individual, but went totally unnoticed by peers till she rolled in the catnip of trans. It was so bloody obvious.