On the subject of sexism, it’s no secret that the music industry has been objectifying women since day one. They know their target audience and were brilliant marketeers. As the main character in the movie Rustler’s Rhapsody pointed out "To be the good guy and wear a white hat, you have to be a competent heterosexual." The record companies knew this and produced album covers that were only a couple of dbs down from "whacking material." A mental sidetrack to the album Sticky Fingers come to mind here. I just can’t tell you why.
As we "matured" some of got in serious relationships (or, worse) and had to toss aside our old passions and develop new ones -- out in the open. So, we got to covertly cheat on our wives/partners and have a "date night" with Diana Krall, Allison Kraus, etc. and get up and personal with a beautiful creature while giving the one we’re with just enough ample attention as to not get caught in the act.
But seriously, we conduct performance "mods" on equipment and developed a "reference" playlist for before/after listening sessions. Yes, we have guys "singing along" with masterful guitar work. Then there’s those female voices belting out the blues and others adding a level of sophistication and delicacy to the space.
Many of the threads here have been well-worded responses by the grown ups in the room. I apologize ahead of time for my inner adolescent coming out to play.