^ It's mostly because, as much as I hate the term and the connotations around it, the "heteronormativity" of the Persona franchise and JRPGs in general the option to date nearly all the female characters is always there, but it doesn't mean you have to take them. The only time it was "required" was for a 100% run of P3. I feel it's just a quirk of the gameplay having to work it's way into story and roleplaying.
Aside from that, there's always been some awkwardness when it comes to some specific social links. Like Naoto and having to deal with Kanji's obvious crush on her. And the whole she's your teacher and that's literally ILLEGAL thing with Kawakami.
Plus, when I say canon, it's really just an exaggeration. My yuri goggle prescription is pretty strong and when I say something is canon I just really really want it to be true. My personal headcanon on the whole Ann/Shiho thing is Ann is living in a glass closet. She's totally gay, but doesn't know it yet, so of course she's gonna go out with a few guys before she does realize it