IMO “dude” as an interjectory term of direct address is fairly gender neutral (as in, “Dude, not cool!”), but if someone says “that dude” I assume they’re referring to a man; in fact, the first time I wrote this sentence I naturally wrote, “I assume they’re referring to a dude”! It’s similar to how “man” can be as an interjection (“Man, I could really use a drink”), although in that case “man” often lacks an actual referent whereas “dude” typically has one. The interjection bit is key–“Sup, dude?” is heavily masculine-coded to me, although perhaps not as exclusive as “that dude.”
That’s all to say that if you referred to an audience as “dudes” I would assume they’re all men. On the other hand, “you(se) guys” to me is fully neutral and I hear groups of women refer to each other that way all the time, although I try my best to use more explicitly inclusive language when addressing people whose preferences I’m not sure of. Language is fun!
IMO “dude” as an interjectory term of direct address is fairly gender neutral (as in, “Dude, not cool!”), but if someone says “that dude” I assume they’re referring to a man; in fact, the first time I wrote this sentence I naturally wrote, “I assume they’re referring to a dude”! It’s similar to how “man” can be as an interjection (“Man, I could really use a drink”), although in that case “man” often lacks an actual referent whereas “dude” typically has one. The interjection bit is key–“Sup, dude?” is heavily masculine-coded to me, although perhaps not as exclusive as “that dude.”
That’s all to say that if you referred to an audience as “dudes” I would assume they’re all men. On the other hand, “you(se) guys” to me is fully neutral and I hear groups of women refer to each other that way all the time, although I try my best to use more explicitly inclusive language when addressing people whose preferences I’m not sure of. Language is fun!