The mistakes the trans activists made were going after the kids, and demanding access to each and every female-only space for males. If they'd done neither of those things, the conservatives would have nothing to say at all.
Frankly, this is a lie. The only ones going for kids were anti trans activists - because attacking trans kids is easier.
This has nothing to do what trans activists done or not done. This was about conservatives needing an ennemy and feeling disgust over trans people existing.