well, for the most part it has just been whatever I ended up with........male, female, no matter.
I have noticed though that the males I have had, are usually a little more lovey, and also a bit more easy going.
Therefore when we decided to get a Maine Coon (the only non-rescue cat I have ever had), we decided on a male.
Now I have 2 males who are very affectionate and calm. They are even more affectionate with each other than what I've seen females be.

For the most part though, I don't really care one way or the other. I had a female cat when I was a kid, and she was an awesome cat! Used to let me dress her up in doll clothes, and wheel her around in a baby buggy.

So who knows? It is probaly more personality and their early experience with humans.