Texas campground under fire for banning transgender men

Grizzly Pines, Private Gay Campground Texasfacing backlash installation from the whole LGBTQ+ Community – especially from the Bear Community – after rechecking and then removing any posts relating to the policy ban Transgender A man from that property.

Keep up with the latest LGBTQ+News and politics. Sign up for our supporters email newsletter.

The Navasota-based clothing options campground sparked accusations Monday after publicly saying it only allowed cisgender men and not allowed trans men to participate in upcoming events. That statement was posted above Transday of Visibilityargued that the exclusion was to maintain “comfort” and “shared living experiences” among men assigned men at birth.

“This campsite was created as a shelter for men who were historically lacking in space, who could openly express themselves from within a wider range without external judgment. LGBTQ+ Community. We are not anti-trans. It focuses on preserving this unique subcultural dynamics,” the venue posted.

Related: Gay Michigan Campgrounds ban trans men

Grizzly Pines has since deleted posts, deleted reviews and disabled comments on social media platforms.

The controversy prompted a conversation about defining communities in LGBTQ+ spaces rooted in exclusion, transphobia, and traditionally body positivity and inclusion.

The Grizzly Pines did not respond SupportersRequest a comment.

The Houston Bears cancelled their scheduled sold-out bear camp in May and cut off their tie first. in statementsaid the group wanted to include all the men (trans and CI) at the event, but learned that Grizzly Pine wouldn’t allow it.

“The idea of ​​hosting an event that forces us to convey some of our members’ “Not You” is not compatible with our values,” the Houston Bears said in a statement sent to the Supporters Posted online. “We know it’s very slow in the process, but we believe it’s never too late to do the right thing.”

The event will be held at the Rainbow Ranch in Groesbeck. “The Houston Bears welcome and celebrate all men, cisgender and transgender people at our event,” the group wrote.

The South Texas-based RGV Bears also cancelled summer camp and provided a message of solidarity.

community– Known for embracing all body types, older men and those alienated by often mainstream gay culture.

Among those calling for the Grizzly Pines’ decision is John Anderson, founder of Friends at Gay Camp, described it as the world’s largest LGBTQ+ outdoor community with over 231,000 members. Anderson, who started the group in 2020, was disappointed by the tone and timing of the campsite.

“I think their statements were passive and offensive. Supporters. “They said the Houston Bears have ‘new support’ for the trans people. That sounded like ock lol to me. It’s cynical that he maintains the male experience while excluding trans men who are male. ”

Anderson, whose community has hosted a comprehensive meetup and lists LGBTQ+ campsites, says the controversy sheds light on deeper departments within the strange space. “Some people treat these campsites like a place where only people should see that they are attracted to,” he said. “It’s not about inclusion or community for them. It’s about eliminating them based on what’s offensive.”

That discomfort reveals something darker, he says. “One commented, ‘It causes misogyny for us.’ It’s the kind of rhetoric I had to ease and remove from our group over the past few days,” Anderson said.

Anderson also points to patterns of concern in some of the LGBTQ+ community. “There’s a big strip in the LGB community that feels like the battle is over. They want to make progress and get away from trans people. What they don’t understand is that attacks on trans people are a precursor to them next attack.

Local activists warn that the exception of some of the LGBTQ+ community will result in serious consequences.

“In a political situation where Texas lawmakers are encouraged to file over 200 anti-LGBTQIA+ claims, most of them target trans people, so they have to commit to the entire community, the entire community.” Supporters In a statement. “Transphobic policies should not be tolerated and should be costly. Let’s show you all Texas business, whether it’s owned by gays or not.

Others had problems in the sense that the presence of trans men would somehow confuse the space that meant men felt physically and emotionally in peace.

Press release from Grizzly Pines’ private campsites except Trans Men

Community member Blake Bennett candidly summarised the inconsistencies in a Facebook comment. “The absurdity of promoting yourself as a welcoming space for men to feel positive about their bodies. And say certain men don’t get in because other guests don’t like their bodies,” he wrote.

Rob Beste, who previously attended the event at Grizzly Pines, said he hadn’t noticed the campsite policy before. “I had plans and bought tickets for the event in the past,” he wrote on Facebook. “This will never happen again. You can’t guess any mental gymnastics that you say is about inclusion, while excluding certain types of men.”

Jake Crumley also got heavier and praised the Houston Bears for matching their actions with their values. “I fully understand the desires of the Grizzly Pines and the right to make space for a certain type of person, but I think this is crap,” he writes. “The trans guy I know just wants to be one of the guys. If the customer is worried about who and what part of it, it’s customer’s reflection. Catering and pandering that is really myopic as a business.”

This is not the first time a gay campground has faced public scrutiny after excluding trans men. 2021, SupportersIt has been reported At Camp BoomerangMichiganbanned transgender men from RV parks that were not held at the time, and defined their membership as people who “have penis” and men who marked state-issued IDs. The controversy sparked a fierce backlash, leading to the campsite’s Facebook page being taken offline.

David Powell Eversall, who said he had enjoyed visiting Grizzly Pines in the past, announced he would not be returning. “In this age of fascism and hatred towards queer communities, we must be the change we seek,” he wrote. “Goodbye, Grizzly Pines. It was real.”