Why (almost) all HDMI connectors in devices are female?
from http://www.hdmi.org/learningcenter/faq.aspx#94


  Q. How will HDMI change the way we interface with our entertainment
  systems? The most tangible and immediate way that HDMI changes the way
  we interface with our components is in the set-up. One cable replaces
  up to 11 analog cables, highly simplifying the setting up of a home
  theater as well as supporting the aesthetics of new component design
  with cable simplification.
  
  Next, when the consumer turns on the HDMI-connected system, the video
  is of higher quality since the signal has been neither compressed nor
  converted from digital to analog and back.
  
  Lastly, because of the two-way communication capabilities of HDMI,
  components that are connected via HDMI constantly talk to each other
  in the background, exchanging key profile information so that content
  is sent in the best format without the user having to scroll through
  set-up menus. The HDMI specification also includes the option for
  manufacturers to include CEC functionality (Consumer Electronics
  Control), a set of commands that utilizes HDMI’s two- way
  communication to allow for single remote control of any CEC-enabled
  devices connected with HDMI. For example, CEC includes one-touch play,
  so that one touch of play on the DVD will trigger the necessary
  commands over HDMI for the entire system to power on and
  auto-configure itself to respond to the command. CEC has a variety of
  common commands as part of its command set, and manufacturers who
  implement CEC must do so in a way that ensures that these common
  command sets interoperate amongst all devices, regardless of
  manufacturer.


It's pretty clear that in the standard, they were trying to make sure that you would ALWAYS have the right cable when trying to assemble consumer-grade AV systems, and one way to do that is to have one cable style.  Also, they want to play up the two-way communication features of HDMI.

Of course, that's speculation, but I can honestly assert that I've never cursed at HDMI connections anywhere near as loudly as I've cursed at USB connections.