I think you’re thinking about it the right way. Respect in a relationship is different from physical attraction and light hearted jokes. You are probably uncomfortable because it is new to you.
If you think that the jokes he makes are something you shouldn’t have a problem with; i.e. they are normal and he is attracted to you (which is a good thing lol), then you can probably give yourself some time to grow ok with those jokes.
You can ask him to cut them down a little and follow your level of comfort, but not entirely cut it all out, IF you’d want that in your relationship in the future.
I don’t think “I am a guy” justifies that. We are not slaves to our biology/socialization once we realize it.