Tommy Dorfman Calls Out First-Class Passenger for Sending Transphobic Texts Mid-Flight

Tommy Dorfman took to Instagram on Friday to address an uncomfortable encounter with her seatmate aboard a recent flight.

The transgender actress shared several photos and a brief video documenting the moment, revealing that the man sitting beside her in first class had been composing offensive text messages about her in a group chat—apparently without concern that she might notice.

One screenshot captured a message reading, "I am in the first aisle of First Class. Guess what is sitting next to me? A f–king transsexual in the midst of going to a man from a woman. Just my luck. I was hoping for a hot babe!!"

Dorfman responded with her own overlay text: "someone get your grandpa."

The exchange continued as others in the group chat weighed in. A person identified as "Samantha" offered a measured response: "Just remember many people you love are lgbtq+ and this country sucks for them right now. Be kind!" Another contact, possibly named Dave, chimed in with, "You got one, a brand new one!"—which Dorfman noted with approval, writing, "also dave (?) kinda tore with this."

In her caption, Dorfman reflected on her personal journey and how it relates to societal expectations around presentation. "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," she wrote. "we are all allowed to evolve in any way that feels true and that evolution can expand and contract. it's always been about alignment and autonomy for my own comfort, not the comfort of others or the expectations of society."

The actress also highlighted the passenger's "audacity" in sending such blatant messages, pointing out that his behavior extended beyond targeting her. She noted he had made "deeply misogynistic and revolting comments" about a flight attendant, with the video clip showing him texting that he found the stewardess to be "hot as hell."

Rather than letting the incident dampen her spirits, Dorfman framed it as validation. "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," she explained. "i am lucky to have the life i have, the ability to fly freely (for now), and even post s–t 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."

The post drew encouragement from celebrities including Amanda Seyfried, who commented, "Scared and dumb all of 'em 'cept Sam."