GAW – “It would seem that the Rambam has issue with the actual status and not the act itself? What does the Olam think?”
You gotta stop Paskening from Gemorahs and Rambams and start learning S’A. The S’A quotes the Rambam and says you get Malkous Mardus like the Rambam. I haven’t seen it in awhile, but I think the Achronim say the Rambam held it’s only an Issur D’rabbonim and the Posuk is an Asmachta. I think s/o said/posted here that the Ramban holds it’s a Issur D’orysa! Either way no one holds it’s Mutter even though it’s a Maaseh Kof! In other words, the act (if you can call it that,) itself is Ossur acc. to e/o! And I posted before that you see it’s immoral for even Goyim from the Posuk on Mitzrayim.