Note that I didn't say that the male characters were ideally only for males to play.
Perhaps I wasn't clear: I think that women players should have first crack at any of the female characters here, because (like Hollywood roles for strong and smart women), characters such as these are fewer in number than I think they should be. If they choose not to play those, then whatever else they want to play, subject to whatever is available, is totally cool.
Upon reflection, yes, I guess that is sexist, albeit of the reverse kind. Sue me. Perhaps I should have majored in womens' studies in college, instead of the simple certificate in it that I received -- it obviously didn't take well enough.