I'd argue that flutes are characteristically masculine what with their phallus-in-hand-demeanor. Though that is perhaps why Manly Men aren't meant to play them.

But perceptions are certainly different.

Several studies [0][1][2] have found significant differences in gendered participation in various instruments, and the perception by others of people playing instruments typically played by other genders.

Further, at least one study [4], has found that this variance vanishes or flips in queer ensembles.

Anyway, I wanted to check because Paradise Lost was a long time ago. Men were the first to wear high heels, after all. I figured there'd likely be a drift from times where flutists were male because ensemblists were male to now where anyone can be seen as gay for just about any reason.

[0] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264200609_Musicians...

[1] https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/vrme/vol5/iss1/3/

[2] https://theath.ca/arts-culture/instrument-gender-bias/ (mentions a different study)