(Update: American Airlines disputes Dunham’s account. Read more here.)
Lena Dunham is not happy with some American Airlines gate attendants she says she overheard having a “transphobic talk.”
Dunham took to Twitter on Wednesday night to scold the attendants, adding that “at this moment in history we should be teaching our employees about love and inclusivity.”
Not gonna call out the airline who delayed cuz shit happens BUT I did just overhear 2 @AmericanAir attendants having a transphobic talk.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) August 3, 2017
At this moment in history we should be teaching our employees about love and inclusivity @AmericanAir. That was worst part of this night.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) August 3, 2017
She later contacted the airline via direct message on Twitter, explaining, “I heard 2 female attendants walking talking about how trans kids are a trend they’d never accept a trans child and transness is gross. I think it reflects badly on uninformed employees of your company to have that kind of dialogue going on. What if a trans teen was walking behind them? Awareness starts at home but jobs can set standards of practice.”
A spokesperson for the airline responded, “Thanks for the info, Lena. We’re passing this along to our team to review.”
Well this night just keeps evolving pic.twitter.com/gYfXadYBUH
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) August 3, 2017
#acrossfromthewinebar pic.twitter.com/53kvyInQyZ
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) August 3, 2017
Dunham was pleased with the airline’s response. She later tweeted: “Really glad @AmericanAir took me seriously, responded and considered. I wish more corporations would implement education on tolerance, etc.”
Many took to Twitter to praise her actions. Filmmaker Joshua M. Ferguson tweeted, “Thanks for sending in this complaint — so important,” while others also thanked the actress for speaking out.
Dunham tweeted other updates from her trip, including a four-hour flight delay and a woman “who just yelled ‘I hate this plane and I have to take a s—‘ I worship and fear you.”
A spokesperson for American Airlines said to TheWrap in a statement, “from the team members we hire to the customers we serve, inclusion and diversity is a way of life at American Airlines. Every day, our team members work to make American a place where people of all generations, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious affiliations and backgrounds feel welcome and valued.”