Police said they found a piece of tape that said “gay baby jail,” which they determined to be a common video game reference. A convention attracting gamers was taking place at the hotel at the time.
Brittney Griner Pulls Out of Speaking Event After Disturbing Note Found in Hotel Room
WNBA star Brittney Griner abruptly withdrew from a speaking engagement this week after discovering a disturbing message in her Maryland hotel room.
Griner, 34, was scheduled to appear at the Women Grow 2025 Leadership Summit—an event focused on cannabis policy and industry—on Monday in National Harbor, Maryland. However, before the event, she found a piece of tape with the words “Gay Baby Jail” written on it inside her room.
Feeling unsafe, Griner immediately left the hotel and canceled her appearance.
Investigation Underway, Police Say No Immediate Threat
Hotel staff at the Gaylord National Resort alerted the Prince George’s County Police Department, which launched an investigation into the incident.
Detectives noted that the phrase “Gay Baby Jail” is a reference commonly used in video games. At the time of the discovery, the resort was hosting a large convention for anime and gaming enthusiasts.
Authorities are now working to determine:
✔️ Who placed the tape in the room
✔️ When it was put there
✔️ The intent behind the message
However, police have stated that so far, there is no evidence linking the note to a direct threat against Griner.
A Troubling History and a Community’s Support
Griner, who is openly gay, endured nearly 10 months in a Russian prison after being arrested in February 2022 for carrying vape cartridges with cannabis oil at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. She pleaded guilty to drug charges but maintained she had no criminal intent. In December 2022, she was released in a high-profile prisoner swap brokered by the Biden administration.
Following this week’s incident, Women Grow CEO Chanda Macias released a statement expressing support for Griner’s decision to leave the event for her safety.
“Brittney Griner arrived to be with us but felt unsafe because of threatening objects and words left inside her hotel room,” Macias said. “For her safety, she chose to return home.”
Macias added that hotel officials assured organizers the event space was safe, stating that the note was likely “a meme joke left by a prior guest and unfortunately missed by cleaning staff.”
“Regardless of whether this was a targeted attack or an unfortunate coincidence, the entire Women Grow community and I wholeheartedly support Brittney’s decision and stand with her at this time,” she said.
The Prince George’s County Police urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward as the investigation continues.
