I play both male and female characters. I'd have to say the reason I'd play a female would be to fit in with my original character concept idea. People who've met me in game (Frak, Almarian etc etc) would probably say I have pretty unique characters? I dunno, I try to. But for all my characters I start with a concept. Depending on how I want my character to percieve, or even how I want my character to interact with others, I will choose the gender accordingly. Frak, for example, really wouldn't work as a female character. Almarian may have doen well as a female, in fact I regret that he wasn't. A new character i'm still ironing out the ideas on befre I introduce to the game, will almost definately be female. To give you a brief summary of why, i'll explain how I came up with the idea.
So I wanted a character with a different dynamic to my usual one, and those who know me will know alot of my char's are based in the realm of comedy. So I want a serious character now. So I got to thinking of particular roles within the planeshift universe which would be viewed in a more serious tone. I came up with the idea of a tour guide character, leading people to other areas of the game whilst charging a small fee (we're talking 10 tria or so, i'm not in it for the money) and actually talking about the places seen along the way. For example I may be able to infrom a new player that a certain spawn is quite weak and therefore suitable to train from, and do it totally IC with a vague description about "Many of the creatures down in these sewers look a lot more dangerous than they are. Most people find them easy enough to deal with." Just as an example you understand. So once I had my general idea, I had to think of how i'd portray the character. Have you ever had a lecture or been in a meeting where u get those people who are quite happy to monologue in a fiarly self-important voice without even checking if you are listening? Well, I had a teacher years ago at school who was just like that, and she is where this character comes from. The way she speaks, the way she will act towards others, the way she will take criticisms and everything will be modelled on said teacher, which is why to me at least, this character HAS to be female. It wouldn't feel right when i'm playing the character for her not to be.
