I have heard many men call female characters a Mary Sue. The only time I’ve ever heard anyone call someone a Gary Stu is in a sad desperate attempt to defend their use of Mary Sue.
I previously linked to a good example of the term in use, but here are some pull quotes from the reviews for your reading pleasure:
Ok, now I’ve heard it once.
If you can show me that Mary Sue isn’t used far more often than Gary Stu, I’d love to see it.
I’m not a miracle worker 😉
Don’t tell your new friend Maxim, it will break his heart. :p
Whence came you by the assumption that we agree? Especially since I have repeatedly stated that I do not think Rey is a Mary Sue. I think the only place in which you and I disagree on this subject is that I think that the term (both male and female versions) are accurate descriptions of certain characters and as such are acceptable descriptors in certain (albeit limited) scenarios, whereas you’re probably of the opinion that the abuse of this term has made it unacceptable for anyone to use despite its descriptive utility.
That’s a place where I’m happy agreeing to disagree, and leaving it at that. 😃
Agreed.