As someone who is taking the first tentative steps for their own MtF transition, I say that your true friends are those who accept you unconditionally. And no, it doesn't surprise me that many of those who reach out to you like that are women. I have some male friends who would accept me as I am. What does worry me a bit is my family, but then, I am reasonably confident that if my mother (my father would be supportive) told me that she would cut me off, my brother would say, "Well, if that's the way you're going to be, not only have you lost a son but not gained a daughter, but you've lost your other son and grandkids, as well." And I'm reasonably sure that my sister-in-law would say to my niece and nephew, "You've lost an uncle but gained an aunty."