Yes.
As a straight guy I might consider dating a post-op trans woman (and only because I know from first-hand experience that they can do a damn good job these days with sex-change operations). But pre-op "women" are automatically discarded. Why would I want to date a "woman" who is physically a man? I'm not gay.
Then again my gay best friend wouldn't date a pre-op trans "woman" either, so I suppose these "women" are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Not many people want to date with them.
I don't feel sorry for them though, they could just get the operation and be done with it. It's (almost) fully subsidized in almost every western country so money shouldn't be a concern here unless you live in a 3rd world country.
The very fact that some supposed transgender people don't want to transition speaks volumes to me though. If you're really trans then wouldn't you want to do everything in your power to actually be the gender you feel you're supposed to be?
No one said you have to date them. And I doubt any would want to date someone who would try to force their ideals on them. So it seems like a win/win.
I don't think anyone is asking for you to feel sorry for them. Why would you think they need that from you?
You gotta ask Trans folks that last question. IMO, I don't think it matters, I'm not out to check out everybody's private parts to see what they have. So if a person tells me they prefer to be called X gender then whatever. I'll respect them and do as they asked. If they look like a woman/man and wearing female/male clothes, who am I to tell them it's not good enough?
I'm not up for policing other folk's genitals, But good luck with that.