Prince's sometimes androgynous look aside, he's always been associated with banging women. There is a difference between choosing to look a certain way and what I think this film was doing with the part is and that is pushing an agenda.
They (Hollywood) has always tried that regarding Blacks. Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld and a number of white comedians on the way to the top, and at the top, didn't have to or were asked to put on a dress. Some were (Robin Williams) but it seemed like every single famous black comedian was asked to or did. Way too many were asked to.