Amber Glenn isn’t just skating for medals — she’s skating for visibility, resilience, and a generation of LGBTQ+ athletes who are learning, sometimes in real time, what it means to take up space in arenas that weren’t always built with them in mind. At just 26, figure skater Amber Glenn has already carved out a place in history, and her journey to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics is about far more than podium finishes.
This winter, Glenn helped Team USA secure gold in the Olympic team event, a milestone that capped off one of the most remarkable seasons in American figure skating in decades. In January, she became the first woman in 21 years to win three consecutive U.S. championships — a feat not seen since Michelle Kwan’s legendary run. For Glenn, the achievement marked both athletic excellence and personal triumph.
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From Texas Rinks to the World Stage
Born in October 1999 and raised in Plano, Texas, Glenn’s love for skating began early. She was just five years old when she watched Sarah Hughes win Olympic gold in 2002 — a moment that sparked a dream she would chase for more than two decades.
@patinanogelo #skating #patinação #iceskating #amberglenn
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But growing up in the spotlight came with challenges. Glenn has spoken openly about the pressures of elite competition and the toll of online judgment. By her early teens, she was already navigating public scrutiny about her body, appearance, and athleticism — commentary that many young athletes, especially girls, know all too well.
At 16, Glenn made the difficult decision to step away from the ice for eight months to focus on her mental health. She later shared that she had been struggling with depression, eating disorders, and ADHD. Her return wasn’t just about skating again — it was about learning how to survive and thrive in a sport that demands perfection.
Coming Out and Stepping Into Herself
In 2019, Glenn publicly came out as bisexual and pansexual, identifying as queer while supporting fellow skater Timothy LeDuc in an interview with Dallas Voice. At the time, she didn’t frame the moment as groundbreaking — but history would.
Glenn is now the first openly queer woman to compete in Olympic ladies’ figure skating while out during her career, a milestone that carries enormous weight for LGBTQ+ athletes watching from the stands, the couch, or their local rink.
Visibility, for Glenn, isn’t performative. It’s honest. It’s lived. And it’s deeply intentional.
Using Her Voice When It Matters Most
As the Olympic figure skater’s platform has grown, so has her willingness to speak out. Ahead of the Olympics, she addressed the political climate facing LGBTQ+ communities, saying that queer people are going through a “hard time.” The comments sparked backlash — and a wave of online threats — prompting Glenn to step back from social media for her own safety.
Still, she didn’t retreat from her values.
American figure skater Amber Glenn speaking at the Winter Olympics on the importance of using her platform to support the LGBTQ community under the Trump administration
“Politics affect us all. It is something that I will not just be quiet about.” 💪pic.twitter.com/FIGndEawX3
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“I was disappointed because I’ve never had so many people wish me harm before,” she said after the Olympic team event. “Just for being me and speaking about being decent — human rights and decency.”
During the team medal ceremony, Glenn wore an LGBTQ+ pin on her jacket, a quiet but powerful reminder that representation doesn’t always have to shout to be heard.
A Golden Skate and a Creative Connection
Amber’s Olympic free skate also highlighted her deep connection to music and artistry. She performed to The Return by Canadian artist Seb McKinnon (CLANN), a piece she has skated to for years. When a brief copyright issue surfaced during the Games, Glenn handled it with grace, emphasizing collaboration and respect for artists.
“It was a dream come true to perform at the Olympic Games,” she said, adding that she hoped her performance introduced new fans to both figure skating and McKinnon’s music.
The moment reflected who Glenn is at her core: an athlete who understands that creativity, community, and mutual respect matter just as much as medals.
Why Glenn’s Story Matters
For LGBTQ+ readers, Glenn’s journey resonates because it’s real. She didn’t arrive at the Olympics untouched by hardship or immune to criticism. She arrived as someone who has fallen, paused, returned, and chosen authenticity every step of the way.
Her success sends a message that excellence and openness can coexist — that you don’t have to shrink parts of yourself to belong. In a sport steeped in tradition and expectation, Glenn is proof that progress can glide forward with elegance and courage.
As her Olympic chapter begins, one thing is clear: Amber Glenn isn’t just making history. She’s making space.