Typically, treating us as you would any other person of that gender is a good rule of thumb. I do have some suggestions though!
Compliment things they’re choosing where appropriate (i.e. outfit choices, jewelry, nails, hair, etc). A simple “your nails look good” when someone has a manicure, “I like your haircut, it suits you”, “nice hat”, are all good examples. Honestly, these all work for cis people as well, but having someone see, acknowledge, and compliment you means a lot when feeling dysphoric.
Invite them to typically gendered activities with you (if you do any). For example, being invited along for a girl’s day by some of my women friends is always welcome. I’ve also been invited to get my nails done by a guy friend before, and that was also really nice!
Early in transition, having someone of your same gender take you shopping for clothes is incredibly impactful. I was fortunate to have my mom take me on a shopping trip (I was 28, and it was still an anxiety inducing to go alone to try on clothes alone). If you’re different genders, this could work still, but is probably more of a case by case thing.
If you’re giving a gift, something like flowers for a trans woman is a good option. I don’t really have ideas for men, but maybe a cologne or something?
Probably the biggest thing is making the effort to address them properly. Use their name and pronouns. If you make a mistake, don’t make a big deal out of it or try to justify it. Just go “sorry, she/he/they/name” and continue your point. “This is hard for me” from someone is an instant ticket to dysphoria (oh they still see me as deadname) and wanting to get away from them.
Ask them if there’s some way you can better support them. Even if they go “I don’t know”, knowing that you care enough to ask means a lot!
I don’t have great general advice when it comes to non binary people, as their dysphoria is often a lot different from people with more binary genders. Point number 5 broadly applies, and point 6 might result in more specifics for that individual person that you can act on.
Typically, treating us as you would any other person of that gender is a good rule of thumb. I do have some suggestions though!
Compliment things they’re choosing where appropriate (i.e. outfit choices, jewelry, nails, hair, etc). A simple “your nails look good” when someone has a manicure, “I like your haircut, it suits you”, “nice hat”, are all good examples. Honestly, these all work for cis people as well, but having someone see, acknowledge, and compliment you means a lot when feeling dysphoric.
Invite them to typically gendered activities with you (if you do any). For example, being invited along for a girl’s day by some of my women friends is always welcome. I’ve also been invited to get my nails done by a guy friend before, and that was also really nice!
Early in transition, having someone of your same gender take you shopping for clothes is incredibly impactful. I was fortunate to have my mom take me on a shopping trip (I was 28, and it was still an anxiety inducing to go alone to try on clothes alone). If you’re different genders, this could work still, but is probably more of a case by case thing.
If you’re giving a gift, something like flowers for a trans woman is a good option. I don’t really have ideas for men, but maybe a cologne or something?
Probably the biggest thing is making the effort to address them properly. Use their name and pronouns. If you make a mistake, don’t make a big deal out of it or try to justify it. Just go “sorry, she/he/they/name” and continue your point. “This is hard for me” from someone is an instant ticket to dysphoria (oh they still see me as deadname) and wanting to get away from them.
Ask them if there’s some way you can better support them. Even if they go “I don’t know”, knowing that you care enough to ask means a lot!
I don’t have great general advice when it comes to non binary people, as their dysphoria is often a lot different from people with more binary genders. Point number 5 broadly applies, and point 6 might result in more specifics for that individual person that you can act on.