Brittney Griner Bails on Speaking Gig After Creepy Hotel Find
WNBA superstar Brittney Griner has pulled the plug on her highly anticipated appearance at the Women Grow Leadership Summit this week in Maryland, citing a rather disturbing discovery in her hotel room. As the event’s organizers reported, Griner stumbled upon a piece of duct tape emblazoned with the phrase “Gay Baby Jail.” Yeah, you heard that right. As an openly gay athlete who faced an unjust 10-month ordeal in a Russian prison for cannabis possession, finding such a message understandably threw her into a tailspin.
The incident, which has drawn immediate concern from both Griner and the event’s organizers, is under investigation. Prince George’s County Police didn’t seem to believe Griner was the target of this audacious prank. While they surmised that the phrase is a common reference among video gamers, particularly at the anime and gaming conventions being held at the hotel that same weekend, the timing is still creepy AF.
Dr. Chanda Macias, CEO of Women Grow, stood fiercely by Griner’s decision to bail, stressing that a woman’s feelings of safety should always be paramount. “If there was a woman that feels threatened for any reason whatsoever, they should do what they feel is best for them,” she asserted. And yo, can you blame her? Just last year, Griner bravely spoke out about the stigma surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and cannabis culture, breaking barriers and advocating for change amid her own trials.
It’s wild how fragile our sense of safety can feel, particularly for someone in the spotlight. This incident shines a light on the broader issues many marginalized folks face. Security protocols at hotels should work better to ensure guests don’t find themselves in such unnerving situations. The fact that the tape wasn’t caught during cleaning raises questions about the hotel’s housekeeping policies and attentiveness.
As the investigation unfolds, let’s hope for some clarity. Meanwhile, here’s to Griner prioritizing her mental health and personal safety — because nobody should feel unsafe in a space meant for empowerment. Stay fierce, Brittney.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, ESPN, LGBTQ Nation
