Philadelphia-conceived Daphne Dorman was a celebrated transgender comic, dissident, and entertainer who was referenced in Dave Chappelle's disruptive Netflix satire exceptional, Sticks And Stones back in August in the midst of contentions and cases it was 'hostile to trans'. She was conceived on April 30th, 1975. Dorman passed on in an obvious suicide after the entertainer presented a last message on Facebook bidding farewell to her friends and family at 44 years old.

Daphne Dorman Profession

Software Engineer;

Dorman was an accomplished software engineer, holding a senior position at the software automation and analytics platform Vineti until August of this year before blooming into a comedian.

Actress;

She was working on a career in showbiz before she died. She began her acting career in her hometown of Philadelphia where she spent 12 years as a TV and stage actress.

The Actors Center of Philadelphia;
She was also Director of Operations, taught improvisation and stage combat classes at The Actors Center of Philadelphia.

Daphne Dorman Daughter

Dorman had a daughter, Naia.

Daphne Dorman Activist (LGBTQ)

Dorman was a constant and persevering force for trans-rights.

Dorman volunteered at the San Francisco LGBT Center as an instructor for Transcode, ‘a series of classes aimed at training transgender members of our community for a career in technology with specific emphasis on programming for the internet.

Daphne Dorman Dave Chappelle

Chappelle’s August 26 Netflix special, Sticks & Stones, was criticized for making fun of trans people.

In the “hidden extra” of the special, Chappelle told a story about sparking an unlikely friendship with a trans woman who he said “was laughing the hardest” out of anyone at the trans jokes in his practice set.

Dorman confirmed on social media the same day that she was the trans woman Chappelle was referring to.

Dorman reportedly thanked Chapelle for ‘normalizing transgenders.’

Daphne Dorman Suicide Note

On her Facebook page, Dorman posted her final post in an apparent suicide note saying goodbye to loved ones.

‘I’m sorry. I’ve thought about this a lot before this morning. How do you say “goodbye” and “I’m sorry” and “I love you” to all the beautiful souls you know? For the last time,’ she wrote in her last message, posted on Friday. ‘There’s no good way. That’s what I got out of all that thought.’

To those of you who are mad at me: please forgive me. To those of you who wonder if you failed me: you didn’t. To those of you feel like I failed you: I did and I’m sorry and I hope you’ll remember me in better times and better light.’

‘I love you all. I’m sorry. Please help my daughter, Naia, understand that none of this is her fault. Please remind her that I loved her with every fiber of my being.’

Daphne Dorman Death

Dorman lived in San Francisco before she died.

Daphne’s sister, Becky Kugler confirmed her sibling had died, releasing a tribute online.

She said: ‘Sweet, sweet Daphne. I so wish we could all have helped you through your darkness. ‘We’ll always love you, fly high sweet angel.’

The Office of Transgender Initiatives in San Francisco, California, confirmed the news on their Twitter account.

Daphne Dorman Tributes

Friends and family are mourning her tragic death.

“I’m heartbroken,” one person wrote. “Daphne was the most beautiful soul and heart and talent and kindness and generosity and beauty in the world. Sending you and all of Daphne’s family and everyone who loved Daphne, so much love right now.”

Another person said, “I am sorry that you were hurting and felt that you had to go through this alone. We met at a body positivity photoshoot and while I struggled to be ok exposing my half-naked body, you gave me words of encouragement and told me I was beautiful inside and out.

“Then you made me laugh and told me to own my beauty. I feel like that is the kind of impact you made on others as well. I was just boasting about how I knew someone opening for Dave Chapelle and tried to get tickets!”

Transgender Initiatives

Following the news, the Office of Transgender Initiatives in San Francisco also confirmed Dorman’s death on its Twitter account and offered to counsel for anyone seeking help.