Barb:
What you speak of is the power of community. It is exceedingly important to know is that we are part of a continuum: people considering their gender identity, people who have come to the conclusion of who they are, people who are actively changing how they live and those who have settled into their true gender identity and are living as such. It is like a river, ever flowing. Glad that you had that experience!
And by the way, in my hometown of Toledo, Ohio I lived on Collingwood Boulevard for a time. But Wait, There’s More! I have visited Collingwood, Ontario! The first company that I worked for after college had a factory there. I worked for what was then Libbey Owens Ford Co. (now Pilkington NA) and I was there for a few days in the early 80’s. Small world!