Amber Glenn Credits Authenticity for Figure Skating Success and Olympic Ambitions
Amber Glenn, a prominent U.S. figure skater set to compete in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, has revealed that her public declaration as bisexual and pansexual has been a transformative force in her athletic and personal life. In a recent interview with NBC, Glenn described the experience as profoundly liberating, stating, "It was something that did set me free." She elaborated that this authenticity allowed her to escape the pressure of conforming to external expectations, emphasizing, "I was able to feel like I wasn't being pressured into trying to fill someone else's shoes."
Historic Achievements on the Ice
At 26 years old, Glenn's career is reaching new heights. This month, she secured her third consecutive U.S. national title, a remarkable feat that positions her as a strong contender to become the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in the individual figure skating event since 2006. According to Outsports, a publication dedicated to tracking LGBTQ+ athletes since 1999, Glenn is also poised to make history as the first openly out woman to compete in figure skating at the Olympic Games.
Her journey to this point has been marked by consistent dedication and skill, culminating in a gold medal performance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on January 9, 2026.
The Path to Public Disclosure
Glenn's path to publicly embracing her identity began in 2019. While supporting fellow Texan skater Timothy LeDuc, an openly gay athlete who had won a national pairs title, Glenn disclosed her own bisexuality and pansexuality to a Dallas-based outlet. She expressed a balanced perspective at the time, noting, "I don't want to shove my sexuality in people's faces, but I also don't want to hide who I am."
However, the announcement garnered far more attention than she anticipated. Reflecting on the experience, Glenn told NBC, "I thought, 'OK, this is my little baby step, and ... barely anyone's gonna see it.' It was a local newspaper. Yeah, it did not stay local. The next day it was, like, international news."
Embracing a Broader Impact
Despite the unexpected global spotlight, Glenn found a positive outcome. In a conversation with ESPN earlier this month, she shared, "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."
This sense of representation has become a cornerstone of her motivation, intertwining with her athletic pursuits. As she prepares for the Olympic stage, Glenn's story underscores the powerful intersection of personal authenticity and professional excellence in sports.
Her triumphant moments, including those en route to her latest national title, continue to inspire fans and fellow athletes alike, highlighting the importance of visibility and self-acceptance in achieving one's dreams.
