Alright, internet fam, buckle up because we’re diving into some of the most talked-about, head-scratching, and wild moments where a simple pronoun or perceived misgendering has exploded online. In today’s hyper-connected world, a single interaction can go viral in seconds, turning everyday encounters into full-blown internet sagas.
From fast food counters to airport gates and even retail behemoth restrooms, these tales aren’t just wordplay they’re about identity, intent, perception, and the occasionally explosive response they elicit. Patience was pushed, fingers pointed, and the court of public opinion handed down some very hot opinions. Let’s flip through unforgettable moments that engaged millions and triggered important conversations on social media.
1. Fast Food Fiasco: The Credit Card Dilemma
Our first destination is a fast-food establishment where a routine transaction escalated into a heated argument caught on film. Abe Froman, a TikToker, uploaded a video capturing a worker attempting to clarify for a trans customer that no discrimination was being made. The miscommunication was based on the worker and the man in the video assuming the trans woman they were addressing was a man.
The worker politely explained that the customer’s name on their credit card was not a feminine one, which was the reason for the misgendering. The customer continued to complain that they were discriminated against even after constant apologies and explanation. The encounter emphasized the delicate balance between honest error and perceived disrespect.
“If they addressed you as Sir, I have no idea why they would have done that,” the employee started, and the customer responded, “Because they recite the name on my credit card and they were not nice people.” The employee attempted to explain, “Well, I mean, they read your name on the credit card…what do you expect them to say?” The customer responded, “That has nothing to do with it! Someone could be paying in the back.”
The most authentic internet moment was when the employee requested the customer’s gender identity so they could address them appropriately. The customer dodged the question by saying, “What would you assume looking at me?” The employee responded with, “A man.” In response, the TikToker flipped the camera to display themselves, which received mixed reactions across the internet. Most appreciated the patience of the employee with others labeling the TikToker as the one who escalated the encounter.
2. The Viewer’s Verdict: When the Camera Turns Around
As the fast-food employee attempted to diffuse, remarking, “We don’t discriminate against anyone,” the customer remained adamant, “No, no, no it’s not that I feel, it’s that I was discriminated against. I would like you to promise me that you will cease treating trans people this way.” The worker, perplexed, inquired, “How am I treating you? I’m treating you badly?” The customer explained, “Your staff!”
The discussion came to a boiling point when the employee restated there was no deliberate discrimination, referencing the name of the credit card wasn’t feminine. The customer dug in his heels claiming it was discrimination despite this. This incident demonstrates the difficulty in achieving a balance of intent, perception, and identity in public interactions.
3. Starbucks Showdown: The Barista’s Side
Then drama erupted at a Starbucks in Southampton, Hampshire, when trans barista Luna Spain was the subject of a viral sensation. Fired from her managerial role, Spain explained the viral video was only the end of a longer, abusive row with a customer to Vice. The internet was “full of lies” because the opening clip was out of context, she said.
Spain stated that the client, Vanessa Thomas, was “rude and abusive” in requesting to be served in cash. Thomas reportedly misgendered Spain and a trans man co-worker, calling them homophobic slurs. Spain was compelled to have Thomas removed, and the incident became the viral video trending on social media.
4. Starbucks Showdown: The Customer’s Counter-Claim
Vanessa Thomas gave her side to the Daily Mail, denying transphobia and saying the video did not tell the whole story. She claimed the situation turned physical when a manager allegedly grabbed and ejected her, and said the denial of a refund was insulting.
Police corroborated a report of assault at the Starbucks, but verbally abused a person who was shooting footage and an alleged assault did not result in injury. The two versions of events fuelled online arguments, with it being hard to know what exactly happened.
5. Starbucks Speaks Up: The Corporate Stance
After the termination of Luna Spain, Starbucks’ licensee 23.5 Degrees issued a statement of inclusivity and respect. They said, “We pride ourselves on presenting a welcoming and inclusive setting, and anticipate all people, including employees and customers, will treat each other with respect and dignity.”
As for Spain’s employment, they wrote, “After an inquiry, it was resolved by the licensee that this partner be distanced from the company.” The response by the corporate entity raised questions about assistance to trans employees subjected to abusive customers and if the investigation was comprehensive enough in addressing all angles of the incident.
6. The Aftermath: Luna Spain’s Ordeal
Luna Spain, the previous Starbucks barista, experienced a fierce ordeal following the viral video, demonstrating just how cruel the internet can be. Following her firing, Spain informed Vice that the video being shared online was merely a clip, recording the final portion of a longer, hostile exchange with a customer. She asserted the internet was “full of lies” because the video did not present the full picture.
Spain has reported her life since the shooting as horrifying. Her contact and home address were openly posted on social media, resulting in “transphobes… knocking” on her door and even her relatives’ doors. She reported that this made her feel “unsafe every time I leave the house” and produced “severe distress to my emotional well-being”: “I’m angry, I’m upset, and I’m having the worst mental health of my life, while the customer laughs about it on Facebook.”
She was also disillusioned with her previous employer. HR supposedly “suddenly called me and pressured me to submit my notice, and, when I didn’t, received an email dismissing me one hour later.” Spain said the procedure was one of “no investigation, no meeting, but a cold email,” and she felt “treated like a criminal.” She explained to VICE News that she’s currently looking into suing both the customer and her previous employer for accountability and an apology for what she believes was an improper investigation.
7. Delta Debacle: Tommy Dorfman’s Airport Allegations
13 Reasons Why star actress Tommy Dorfman accused employees of Delta Airlines of “human rights violations” after being repeatedly misgendered by at least two Delta employees at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. Dorfman shared a TikTok of the incident before Christmas, which immediately went viral.
In the video, Dorfman said at least two Delta employees continually misgendered her. She directly accused one of the employees of doing so “intentionally.” During the altercation, an employee corrected a pronoun, and Dorfman responded, “You just misgendered me again.” The employee responded, “It wasn’t intentional, but if you want to take it personal, that’s also OK,” and threatened to have Port Authority escort her off if the argument continued. Dorfman captioned the clip stating she didn’t “realize it was condescending to flag a human rights violation,” underscoring the tension surrounding pronoun usage.
8. The Digital Storm: Online Reactions to Delta’s Drama
When Dorfman’s TikTok went around, it elicited an enormous online response. Even after removing the video, it was re-uploaded and shared with all platforms such as X (formerly Twitter). Delta Airlines released a statement stating that they were “aware of the video and looking into the matter,” expressing concern without taking responsibility.
The public reaction was mixed. Dorfman was accused of being “entitled” and a “clown” by many, who set up the incident as a celebrity vs. frontline workers story, not a human rights story. Dorfman has since led a call to boycott Delta, further deepening online polarizing. This episode is a reminder of how viral moments have a tendency to run away with themselves, out of control by the creator.
9. Walmart Woes: Dani Davis and the Restroom Ordeal
Misgendering claims are not exclusive to airports or fast food. Florida woman Dani Davis was harassed in a Lake City Walmart restroom, leading to her termination. Davis, who stands at 6’4″ and identifies as cisgender, was approached by a man entering the women’s restroom, adamantly warning of transgender individuals and stating he needed to “protect his wife or girlfriend.” Though the man’s partner told him off, Davis described feeling “targeted, humiliated, and paralyzed with fear.”
Upon informing her supervisor of the incident, Davis was terminated one week later for supposedly not reporting the occurrence to a “salaried member of management,” which Walmart identified as a “security risk.” Her vest, badge, and work phone were taken away from her without paperwork terminating her employment, leaving her confused and punished for another person’s transphobia.
10. Unpacking Walmart’s Response and the Broader Echoes
Davis’s Facebook entry regarding her firing went viral, receiving more than 13,000 shares and a flurry of supportive messages encouraging her to sue. Her experience launched wider discussions on gender, identity, and public safety. One trans woman shared comments on her own experiences of being harassed, mentioning the danger faced by people irrespective of gender identity.
One commenter picked up on the intersection of transphobia and misogyny: “Transphobia and misogyny have always been two sides of the same coin… This has always been about punishing women, cis and trans, for not meeting standards of femininity.” Walmart remains quiet so far, but online reaction hints at mounting pressure for accountability.
These events, from the food counters of fast food to airports and shopping areas, act as poignant reminders of how identity, perception, and respect intersect in public arenas. They reiterate the fine line between intention and effect, demonstrating how rapidly online interactions can spiral out of control. Beyond the individual conflict, these accounts expose the constant struggle in developing genuinely inclusive communities, providing a needed catalyst for conversations critical to forward motion.
