It takes a lot to call a hotline, and when you're feeling that upset its hard to stick up for yourself, and even harder to feel like you deserve it. But as for possibly offending the guy who answered the phone, his needs in that area are dramatically less important than those of someone in so much pain that they're afraid they might end their own life. And its not just you who he might be effecting negatively, its everyone who had to talk to him that night.

I'd definitely write down a list of polite responses and keep them somewhere safe. Just ways to ask for another person. "I'm sorry, i'd feel more comfortable speaking to a female operator" maybe, or "i'd rather not talk about this with another woman" depending on the gender. That way if it's thought over and written down in advance, you won't feel put on the spot or obligated to talk to them. And at the end of the call definitely state your concerns about the other person.