U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn has spoken candidly about the positive impact of publicly identifying as bisexual and pansexual on her athletic career and personal life. In a recent interview with NBC, Glenn, 26, described her decision to come out as a liberating experience that relieved pressure to conform to others’ expectations.
Breaking Barriers in Olympic History
Glenn is currently preparing for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, where she is poised to potentially become the first openly out woman to compete in Olympic figure skating. This milestone marks a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ representation in the sport. According to Outsports, which tracks LGBTQ+ athletes since 1999, Glenn will be the first out woman to figure skate at an Olympics. She recently secured her third consecutive U.S. title, positioning her as a strong contender to win an Olympic medal – something no American woman has done in the individual event since 2006.
From Local News to Global Visibility
Glenn first publicly disclosed her sexuality in 2019 after supporting openly out pairs skater Timothy LeDuc. She explained that her goal was not to make a grand statement but simply to be honest about who she is. “I don’t want to shove my sexuality in people’s faces, but I also don’t want to hide who I am,” she said at the time.
However, the announcement quickly spread beyond local media, becoming international news. Glenn expressed surprise at the rapid attention but ultimately felt grateful that her message reached a wider audience. “I did not expect it to blow up in the way that it did… But I’m grateful because they got my message out there. I was able to represent a lot of people that are in skating, especially queer women.”
A Shift in Perspective
Glenn’s experience highlights the growing visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes and the evolving acceptance within competitive sports. By sharing her story, she has not only empowered herself but has also provided representation for queer athletes in figure skating and beyond.
“It was something that did set me free… I was able to feel like I wasn’t being pressured into trying to fill someone else’s shoes.”
This shift in perspective allowed Glenn to focus on her performance without the weight of hiding a core part of her identity, potentially contributing to her recent success.
Glenn’s journey underscores how authenticity can be a catalyst for both personal liberation and athletic achievement.
