WNBA star Brittney Griner pulls out of speaking engagement after finding concerning message near hotel room

Brittney Griner, a 10-time WNBA All-Star, was a no-show for a speaking engagement she was booked for just outside of Washington, DC. The Atlanta Dream center’s decision stemmed from a note she discovered near the entrance to her hotel room in National Harbor, Maryland.Griner was scheduled to speak at the Women Grow Leadership Summit on Feb.17.But, event organizers informed attendees that Griner pulled out after she saw “threatening objects and words” outside her hotel room.The note in question contained the words “Gay Baby Jail,” WUSA 9 reported.

The words appeared to be written on a piece of duct tape.The Prince George’s County Police Department confirmed the launch of an investigation at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the site of the conference.“Detectives have learned the phrase ‘gay baby jail’ is commonly used as a video game reference,” a statement from police obtained by TMZ Sports read.“At the time the tape was located, a large convention was taking place at the Gaylord which attracts thousands of people, many with an interest in anime as well as video game enthusiasts.

At this time, detectives have uncovered no link to or threat against the guest who located the tape.”Women Grow is an organization that brings women together with the goal of promoting leadership within the cannabis industry.Women Grow CEO Dr.Chanda Macias told WUSA9 that the hotel staff claimed the message was a cruel joke which a previous guest left, which was ultimately not removed by housekeeping.“I don’t know what their protocols are, but I don’t know why rooms wouldn’t be cleaned,” Macias said.Investigators did add that “detectives are working to determine who placed the piece of tape, when it was done and the intention behind it.”A 2013 interview with Sports Illustrated is believed to have marked the first time Griner pubically discussed her sexuality.During the interview, Griner was asked about the differences in public a...