Are you sure that it was, by pure chance? As Ive sometimes said about an (almost)relationship I once had, the heart knows what what heart wants. Even it takes a bit longer for the brain to figure things out,,. As a Trans woman om HRT, I suspect the Lesbians you met saw you as far less of a "threat" than a typical Cis male. And yes still as something of, as you put it, hybrid/curiosity, and hopefully eventually, as authentic in your true self.