One thing I find very interesting is the way that traditional gender roles can sneak their way into the cuddle sphere. For example, the unspoken expectation for a man to be the big spoon. Of course this is fine if everyone involved wants that, but in my experience, men often want to feel held as well. So I think it’s important to proactively communicate with cuddle buddies to make sure everyone is getting what they want, rather than allowing assumptions to run the show.
In cases of gender nonconforming, non-binary or trans individuals, I think it can be especially important to communicate clearly about what the person wants. It is possible that certain positions may bring up gender dysphoria, for example, in the case of a trans person. I don’t think this discussion needs to be framed like, “you’re trans so let’s make this a big deal: WHAT DO YOU NEED” 😅 Really it’s more about acknowledging that if an individual has spent time not feeling fully at home in their body because gender constructs do not line up with how they experience themselves, it’s important to be mindful about that and communicate accordingly.