The thing is I am heterosexual. I wonder if it makes any difference in this context at all.

I was wondering how to respond to such remarks coming in series.

Further to what I wrote about, when whatever I say with regards to myself, he finds his wife to share with me in common. Again, I am not a woman, and I find women men's equals. I suppose so does he.
What matters is whether this is a low key way of messing with me or not. No panic if he does, but that would case different light on what is happening.

You want a semi-formal chat as required by the setting and you hear that something is not right. It is as if a contractor fails his part, if you think of Eric Berne's transactions.