Tommy Dorfman, the 33-year-old actor best known for her role in 13 Reasons Why, has publicly condemned a fellow airline passenger who sent transphobic text messages about her during a recent flight. Dorfman shared the incident on Instagram, posting screenshots and a video of the man's texts.
The passenger, described as a middle-aged man, texted a contact saying he was seated next to a “f***ing transsexual in the midst of going from a man to a woman” and expressed disappointment at not having a “hot babe” beside him. He also referred to Dorfman as a “freak” in his messages.
Dorfman, who came out as transgender in 2021, responded in her Instagram caption, stating that “passing hasn’t been the point” for her and that her choices are about “alignment and autonomy” rather than societal expectations. She noted the man’s “audacity” and said the incident reaffirmed her decisions for her own comfort and safety.
The actor also highlighted a response from one of the man’s contacts named Samantha, who urged compassion and reminded him that “many people you love are LGBTQ+” and that the country “sucks for them right now.” Dorfman praised Samantha, saying she “deserves her flowers.”
Several of Dorfman’s celebrity friends offered support in the comments, including singer Ellie Goulding, who called the passenger a “sad, deranged, troubled person,” and Tony winner Meena Harris, who praised Samantha’s patience.
This is not the first time Dorfman has faced transphobia while travelling. In 2023, she accused Delta Airlines employees of intentionally misgendering her repeatedly, calling it a “human rights violation.” Delta did not respond to a request for comment at the time.
