While I agree with a great deal of your post, this instance of gender discrimmination:

As many of you know, I play Santa Claus. Every year I have to get a police check done before I work. The women who are my elves don't have to have police checks ... women are still considered safe, whereas I am treated as a potential offender simply based on my gender.

is probably more due to the fact that the kiddies aren't lining up to sit on the lap of an elf!