My conservative neighbor brought up trans stuff thinking he’d use all the conservative media talking points and my answer was simply “it doesn’t really bother me. I’m a live and let live kind of guy. If they want me to use a different pronoun I’ll do my best to switch to that pronoun.” If you spin it as a freedom instead of a reality then it’s easier to accept.

That sounds to me like he realized he couldn't have the argument he wanted to have, not that he accepted anything. Edit - but I generally agree with your overall point.