Just One of the Boys

After deciding that indeed my character, Sir Throserl Baird the Gnome Historian, was going to be a male I began thinking about what this actually means for the way I am going to play.  

I am concerned that I won’t have a clue how to play a male character.  After all I am a woman so what would I know about playing a man?  But then I thought men play female characters all the time… it’s worth a try.  Right?

I don’t want to be a faux pas.  Just as much as it’s hard for the other players to have fun and participate when a man plays the alluring, seductive or overly done woman; I don’t want to play an overly chauvinistic or super tough character.

I want to play a character with depth, fantastic personality, charisma and so on.

I am looking for some advice.  How can I play this character to the fullest potential?  How should I deal with any comments from other players if they don’t like how I’m doing it?  Are there any things I should be sure to incorporate into my character or even more important things I should NEVER do?

I would appreciate suggestions… Thanks in advance!