Contrary to the opinions of the "fit Nazis" in the Road cycling forum, standover height is an important aspect of bike fit. If you can't safely stand over the top tube without potential injury, then it's a sure bet that eventually, that injury will occur.
I have
a thread discussing fit and SO height on the Cyclocross forum... I suspect I've run into some of these "fit nazis" you mention!
That thread might be useful for the original poster here too - I'm also a shorty (5'7, 30" inseam).