That's a VERY interesting question!
I have some very old fashion thoughts on gossip. "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." and "If it's not about you, stay out of it."
I think gossip has been around since the day Eve had a conversation with a serpent. It leads to nothing but trouble! I hang out with both genders, I love my straight guy friends and love to have a beer and shoot some pool and guys gossip like hens in a hen house just as much as women do!