A bit off topic but...
Y'know I just finished a pt with a Male elf who romanced Cassandra (And she didn't end up as divine thank GOD I was dreading that at the end) and it seems Cassandra is more of the expected choice to me but who knows I haven't tried Josephine's romance yet. Also I find Cassandra attractive and you read all this "She looks like a man!" that some people type. I think maybe it's because she is a very strong Independent Religious Woman and she has this very strong barrier that you have to break to get to her heart....also she can kick butt. I'm wondering if that's why you see all that on the forums. Idk yes she has short hair but she does not look like a man. 
It's probably because she's a lot more relevant to the story than josephine is. I just mean looks wise. I'm sure Cass is the developer's baby this time around.
And I think you're probably right. Sadly, there are some guys who are intimidated by independent women like that. Josephine is too, but Cass takes it to another step, in that she tells you what she wants to do regardless of your character, like Morrigan basically, and you never get the sense that she waits on your every whim or that her world revolves around you. She's the boss lady. She's an authorative figure. Not all men can handle women like that.