I'm so relieved to see how accepting people are in here.
First of all, I don't post a lot in here so maybe a bit on me, I'm a female and I'm a game development student. I also have 2 years of computer programming. I've become used to being the only female, or one of the only females in my classes (in the industry in general tbh). It's hard, we are laughed at, poked fun of, etc by some male students and sometimes even by the professors. It's something that irritates me, but I'm used to it and I'm determined to finish and become a game developer.
Having said that, I always play females. I LOVE being able to be a female, to the point where I rarely play games that don't allow me to be one. I occasionally will play a male for an LI that is unavailable for a female (STEVE =3, definitely Dorian). One of the reasons I backed out of the Anders fandom was because I was told how it "disgusted" someone when I posted a picture of a fem!hawke with Anders. I hate drama, so I just backed away. Some corners of the Kaidan fandom were the same way, so I mostly stayed out. But I really enjoyed being part of the Alistair fandom, and I miss that.
As far as I go, I don't care who romances who with what gender. I just enjoy squeeing with people, talking about the characters, and not having to worry about offending someone just because I don't play my game the same as them. m/m, f/f, m/f, whatever, I have squeed over LIs with many who prefer both.
You guys rock.