I play a female blood elf paladin.
I'm male IRL.
I play a Blood Elf because I like the race, as well as the racials.
I've been a blood elf paladin every time I've been horde and will remain as such.
I play female just cause I've always played female characters in games, more effort has always seemed to be put into their models and animations across numerous games that its just more enjoyable.