Someone mentioned yesterday a theory they though the 144,000 were women because of the use of the word "virgin" is usually applied to women.  The grammar of Rev 14 is masculine.  That is , when it says "they", the masculine form of "they" seems to be used throughout.  That would be more direct evidence than borrowing a word from one context to use it in another.  Scriptures refer to Israel as both a "he" in one place (firstborn son) and a "she" in another (Bride).  I wouldn't try to read too much into a single word.  It also says they were purchased "from among men" (Rev 14:4).  It also gives their tribal identity, which would not make sense for a woman, because tribal identity is determined bythe man.  A Jewish woman becomes a member of whatever tribe her husband belongs to.  If she has inherited land, she has to marry within the tribe that owns that land, but otherwise, can marry a man from any tribe.
 
Shalom, Yoseph
www.messiahalive.net