Briefly, I myself actually don't, but I've heard the argument made that some want to reserve it to a male out of love and honour for Jesus's person, which, as a compromiser, generally (which badsede, ariston, et. al. would NEVER concede), I'd like to honour, as the sentiment of others who make such a big issue of this "theology of the body" (which I wholly buy into, until it starts leaving out androgynous or "queer" bodies--which I like to think Jesus didn't at all, when he was talking about "born eunuchs." So, no, Miss Serpentia: just as a "mercy" to the "conservatives." But I'd just as soon the ladies' feet get washed, too, myself.