Gay Campground Scores Backlash Over Banning Trans Men

A private gay campground in Texas – Grizzly Pines – scored some serious backlash from the LGBTQ community after reaffirming (then deleting) its policy prohibiting transgender men from its property. Consider the mental gymnastics of claiming you’re about inclusion while excluding certain types of men.

Grizzly Pines is facing mounting backlash from across the LGBTQ+ community after reaffirming and then deleting a post about a policy banning gay transgender men.

: www.advocate.com/news/transge… [image or embed] — The Advocate (@advocate.com) April 3, 2025 at 9:23 AM

From The Advocate:

The Navasota-based, clothing-optional campground sparked condemnation after it publicly stated on Monday that it only allows cisgender men and would not allow trans men to attend upcoming events.

That statement, posted on Trans Day of Visibility, claimed the exclusion was about preserving “comfort” and “shared lived experience” among men who were assigned male at birth.

“This campground was created as a haven specifically for men who historically lacked spaces where they could express themselves openly without outside judgment even from within the broader LGBTQ+ community. We’re not anti-trans; we’re just focused on preserving this unique sub cultural dynamic,” the venue posted.

It may not surprise you to know Grizzly Pines quickly deleted the post, erased reviews, and blocked comments on its social media platforms. The bear community has been notably vocal in response. The Houston Bears cancelled their sold-out Bear Camp event originally scheduled at Grizzly Pines in May and moved it to Rainbow Ranch in Groesbeck. “The idea of having an event where we would be forced to tell some of our members ‘not you’ is incompatible with our values,” the Houston Bears said in a statement sent to The Advocate. “The Houston Bears welcome and celebrate all men, cisgender and transgender, at our events.” The South Texas-based RGV Bears also canceled their Summer Camp at Grizzly Pines and offered a message of solidarity: “To our RGV Teddy Bear trans members, we will create events that we can continue to enjoy together in siblinghood (bearhood).” Read more responses to the kerfuffle at The Advocate.