13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman took to Instagram over the weekend to call out a fellow airplane passenger who sent transphobic texts about her on their flight.
In the post, the actor, 33, who came out as transgender in 2021, shared a series of photos and a video showing a middle-aged man texting various contexts about sitting next to Dorfman.
“I am in the first aisle of first class. Guess what is sitting next to me? A f***ing transsexual in the midst of going from a man to a woman,” the man’s text message read. “Just my luck. I was hoping for a hot babe!!”
He added, “Two and a half hours of sitting next to this freak!!”
Dorfman’s photos showed some of the man’s friends responding to his messages, which the actor poked fun at.
“You got one. A brand new one!” a man named Dave responded to the passenger’s hope for a “hot babe.”
“Dave kinda tore with this,” Dorfman captioned the photo.
Meanwhile, one of the man’s contacts named Samantha responded urging compassion.
“Just remember many people you love are LGBTQ+ and this country sucks for them right now. Be kind!”
In Dorfman’s video, the man was seen texting a friend, writing, “The stewardess in the first-class cabin is hot as hell!!!! Offsets the freak!!”
In her caption, Dorfman wrote: “Objectively, i know i’m not ‘passing’ and i’m ‘bricky’ and ‘clocky’ but passing hasn’t been the point for me nor should it be for any trans person. we are all allowed to evolve in any way that feels true and that evolution can expand and contract.
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“It’s always been about alignment and autonomy for my own comfort, not the comfort of others or the expectations of society.”
She continued: “The audacity of this man so blatantly blasting off texts about me (sparing you the deeply misogynistic and revolting comments on our flight attendants in contrast to my freak) only reaffirms the choices i’ve made for myself to feel safe and comfortable in my body and spirit.
“This does come at the cost of safety and comfort in the world, especially in america, and that’s not without consequence internally and externally. i am lucky to have the life i have, the ability to fly freely (for now), and even post shit like this. and why post, you may wonder? because i can and this man is an alt right vampire AND because samantha deserves her flowers.”
In the comments, many of Dorfman’s famous friends shared messages of support and condemned the passenger.
“What a sad, deranged, troubled person. I’m angry. Sending you love,” wrote Ellie Goulding.
“loving samantha,” wrote Kaia Gerber.
“Lord give me the patience and restraint of Samantha,” wrote Tony winner Meena Harris.
It’s not the only transphobic experience Dorfman has allegedly had while traveling. In 2023, she accused Delta Airlines employees of committing a “human rights violation” after claiming they intentionally misgendered her “incessantly” at an airport.
Delta did not respond to The Independent’s request for comment at the time.