Amber Glenn shatters barriers as first openly bisexual U.S. Olympic figure skater

Amber Glenn has made history in figure skating by securing her place on the U.S. Olympic team. Her victory at the U.S. championships marked a third consecutive national title—the first for an American woman in 21 years. Beyond the ice, Glenn has become a trailblazer as the first openly bisexual and pansexual U.S. woman to compete in Olympic figure skating.

Glenn’s rise to the top began with a bold step in 2019. After publicly supporting openly out pairs skaters in a Dallas Voice interview, she came out herself. The move did not hinder her career—instead, she found support from fans and sponsors, with no negative impact on her scores.

A key turning point came when she changed coaches and relocated her training to Colorado. This shift led to stronger performances, including wins on the Grand Prix circuit. Her record-breaking short program score of 83.05 at the U.S. championships cemented her Olympic qualification. Beyond technical changes, Glenn worked with a mental coach to manage adrenaline during competitions. She has described this period as her best both professionally and personally, with her career peak aligning with her life after coming out. Now, she heads to the Olympics with a chance to make further history. If successful, Glenn could become the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic singles medal since 2006.

Glenn’s achievements extend beyond the ice. She has broken barriers as an openly LGBTQ+ athlete while maintaining top-level performance. Her journey to the Olympics reflects both skill and resilience, setting the stage for what could be a landmark moment in U.S. figure skating.