You wouldn't be taken as a sex object, if you didn't portray yourself as one. I and many other trans, don't post nude pics of themselves online, and I think a certain level of respect comes with that. I don't even let guys talk to me sideways. I always remain polite, but firmly tell them they approached me completely wrong and I don't tolerate that. Stand up for yourself and people will respect that.
My birth name is fish anyway so I've never worried about that aspect, but for a while my ID did have my boy picture, but I still held my head high and paid it no mind. I do admit I was happy to get that picture banished and you'll probably feel a little more confident once your name change goes through.
Go back to the telemarketing, I did 5 years there, 2 on the phone, and 3 as a Supervisor. Also, hotel industry tends to be very LGBT friendly. I know too many tgirls working and living regular lives with no sex industry aspects to believe that the world is "just against trans". Get all your "i" dotted and "t" crossed and do what YOU can to limit any potential issues.
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