I often RP humans, half elves, elves who aren't especially old, and various other admittedly more boring choices. In part because my RP proficiency level is kinda low despite having gamed since like the age of 13. That said, when I do go for something that isn't human, I tend to like to explore the potential for a more alien mindset, or a different set of values or perspectives. I've done VTM Dark Ages and Dark Age Inquisition before, since you mention WOD. In the former, I emphasized the alien nature of the Road my character was on and how morals and views had changed a bit from the human base that spawned said road, and although I played a human in the latter, I got to kinda get into a different religious mindset than is standard for me. I've done some completely non-humans, but I always felt my portrayal was a bit stilted and gimmicky, and none come to mind as especially fun to share.
I think for me what I like best about pseudo-humans is that it makes it easier for me to relate and get into character while still being different enough that I can explore a different mindset. Also, I think this kinda shows that to me non-humans are alien and of not only a different mindset but a different species, to the point where some of the claims about racial essentialism and parralels between fantasy races (species) and real life races in games like D&D ring a bit hollow the way I've experienced such things as well as other people playing them in game. I also didn't like it when Tasha's took away the flavor of say a gnome barbarian as compared to a minotaur barbarian not just starting stat-wise, but in the flavor. It isn't wrong to say that different species, as opposed to races, would be capable of different things. And backtracking on that honestly kinda makes it seem more like a different flavor of human/a race as compared to a species. Which I guess may be what they want so that they can have more political drama. IDK.
Anyway, tangent aside, this is a pretty cool question. I look forward to hearing some other folks' stories.