Yeah, that's often the result (and like you, I also find this to be worthwhile nonetheless), but it depends on the context. Sometimes it plays out like this though (image below) and the trolling potential is glorious

Sure, they're going to frame it in a way that gives them the victim, but we don't have to accept it. Just laugh in their face, and misgender them right back. Nothing pisses off a trans bigot more than being called by the wrong gender.