"The folk scene tends to imitate the pop scene - it's only natural."

Well, which "folk scene"?

I suppose this comment makes it quite cleaar that there's more than one definition of "folk." Real traditional music predates contemporary pop, obviously, and its closest adherents would he aghast the the merest suggestion that they "imitate the pop scene."

But then, on the other hand, there's some sort of contemporary folk music, too. As a singer, I suppose you have to figure out which camp you belong to.

As several folks have noted above, it is acceptable and common in most "real" folk-music circles for performers of either gender to sing songs using their established lyrics, regardless of whether the "narrator" is male or female. So, it's OK for you to do so, too.

On the other hand, if it makes you uncomfortable to follow this custom, you can either select your material accordingly, or alter certain lyrics to suit your delivery. Some would frown upon the latter alternative, so don't be surprised at a negative reaction. Best to minimize "personalization" of well-known traditional lyrics.