Then stop faffing around with the amateurs (talented and interesting people 'though they are) at strut meetings and go and talk to the professionals, who are far too busy to worry about whether you've got tits or not and already have somebody to make the tea.
With your experience, you'd be well placed to become a check/test pilot with PFA or BMAA, and if you've got formal engineering qualifications, an inspector as well.
Don't believe me? take a short drive East to Old Sarum, where you can meet Leslie (airfield manager, examiner, and long term member of both organisations) or Fiona (Chief Instructor and Chief Engineer of the Shadow school there, BMAA instructor, BMAA and PFA inspector). I'm sure both would, if they've the time (turn up when the weather's crap!) be delighted to tell you about their long term, and tits-neutral involvement with permit aircraft.
G