Your mother wears traveler's boots!! Sorry, had to say it. But more seriously, only sovereigns from the race of 'Men' can wear them in the first place. If you mean a female from the race of 'Men' can't wear the anymore then that is indeed new. I haven't played since 1.09 (not 1.09e) so I don't know about now.
Edit: They really need to do something about this. It's been the source of so much confusion and frustration, or at least document it in game "only usable by X."