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Tommy Dorfman rebukes Delta staff over ‘misgendering,' netizens praise the employee for 'standing up for himself'

Tommy Dorfman posted the video to his TikTok, accusing the ticket agent of not using female pronouns

Updated on: Dec 27, 2023, 11:16:56 IST
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Transgender actor Tommy Dorfman recently opened up on social media about being misgendered by a Delta Air Lines employee. The Delta ticket agent went viral after a TikTok video revealed what happened. The voice in the video is that of 13 Reasons Whyactor Tommy Dorfman.

Tommy Dorfman (L) recently opened up on social media about being misgendered by a Delta Air Lines employee (R) (Photo by Dia Dipasupil / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP, TikTok screenshot)
Tommy Dorfman (L) recently opened up on social media about being misgendered by a Delta Air Lines employee (R) (Photo by Dia Dipasupil / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP, TikTok screenshot)

Dorfman posted the video to his TikTok, accusing the ticket agent of not using female pronouns. "And what about when a Delta employee misgenders you intentionally," says Dorfman's voice from behind the camera.

The gate agent is seen talking to a passenger he was already helping, saying "while you're talking she's, he's talking too."

"You just misgendered me again, multiple times, both of you have," Dorfman says. The female passenger who was being helped says, “Sorry.”

"It wasn't intentional," the gate agent tells Dorfman, "but if you want to take it personal, that's also—"

"You said he and then you said she," Dorfman replies.

"You're being condescending," the gate agent tells Dorfman, "and if you want to continue, I'll have Port Authority escort you out the building right this moment if you want to play that game with me. Which if you'd like to continue three days before Christmas, I really don't mind."

"I'm good, I'll just put this on," Dorfman says. It is unclear what the transgender activist is referring to.

Dorfman wrote on TikTok, ""When you try to advocate for yourself at @delta and are met with even more transphobia and threats of being arrested at LaGuardia. Tristan, the employee, said he was fine with me posting this. Didn't realize it was condescending to flag a human rights violation after another employee misgendered me incessantly."

‘Can I send this Delta guy a Christmas gift?’

Social media users praised the employee for standing up for himself. In the comment section of the above video, a user wrote, “Can I send this Delta guy a Christmas gift?” “Delta Airlines should be proud of the way their employees handled the situation. Amazing job!” one user said, while another said of the agent, “I love this! Give this man a raise!” “@DeltaCustBroma amazing job by this employee to handle disrespectful entitlement. Give him a raise and service award for his professionalism. We need people like this. All of social media supports this staff member and @Delta for not putting up with nonsense,” wrote on user.

““You’re being condescending” amazing comeback,” one user said, while another wrote, “Yo give this man a raise”. Slamming Dorfman, one user wrote, “I swear this is just so ridiculous. I really feel these ppl look for situations just so they can go viral.”

  • Sumanti Sen
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sumanti Sen

    Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More