US Figure Skater Amber Glenn Credits Coming Out with Career Breakthrough
Amber Glenn's historic win at this month's US Figure Skating Championships has catapulted her to the top of the sport, but it's a victory she attributes not just to her hard work and talent, but also to her courage in coming out as bisexual and pansexual. The 26-year-old skater from Texas became the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to medal at an Olympics since 2006, a distinction that has brought her both pride and recognition.
For Glenn, the turning point came when she publicly acknowledged her identity just over three years ago, in response to a story about two North Texas-based pairs skaters who had won a national championship. The sudden attention from the LGBTQ community was overwhelming, but also liberating for Glenn, who said it allowed her to "feel like I wasn’t being pressured into trying to fill someone else's shoes."
While coming out did not instantly make Glenn a better skater, she believes it has given her an edge in terms of confidence and authenticity. The pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards and masculine norms that had held her back in the past are now replaced by a sense of self-acceptance and empowerment.
Glenn's journey to success has been marked by setbacks and challenges, including multiple concussions, inconsistent training, and doubts about her ability to compete at the highest level. However, with the support of her coach Damon Allen, mental coach, and her own determination, she has overcome these obstacles to become one of the top figure skaters in the world.
As Glenn prepares for next month's Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, where she will be competing as an openly LGBTQ+ athlete for the first time, she is aware that her identity may still be a factor in how judges score her performances. However, she remains undaunted, saying "it's not whoever crosses the finish line first wins... Part of it is up to that person's opinion."
Amber Glenn's historic win at this month's US Figure Skating Championships has catapulted her to the top of the sport, but it's a victory she attributes not just to her hard work and talent, but also to her courage in coming out as bisexual and pansexual. The 26-year-old skater from Texas became the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to medal at an Olympics since 2006, a distinction that has brought her both pride and recognition.
For Glenn, the turning point came when she publicly acknowledged her identity just over three years ago, in response to a story about two North Texas-based pairs skaters who had won a national championship. The sudden attention from the LGBTQ community was overwhelming, but also liberating for Glenn, who said it allowed her to "feel like I wasn’t being pressured into trying to fill someone else's shoes."
While coming out did not instantly make Glenn a better skater, she believes it has given her an edge in terms of confidence and authenticity. The pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards and masculine norms that had held her back in the past are now replaced by a sense of self-acceptance and empowerment.
Glenn's journey to success has been marked by setbacks and challenges, including multiple concussions, inconsistent training, and doubts about her ability to compete at the highest level. However, with the support of her coach Damon Allen, mental coach, and her own determination, she has overcome these obstacles to become one of the top figure skaters in the world.
As Glenn prepares for next month's Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, where she will be competing as an openly LGBTQ+ athlete for the first time, she is aware that her identity may still be a factor in how judges score her performances. However, she remains undaunted, saying "it's not whoever crosses the finish line first wins... Part of it is up to that person's opinion."
I'm literally so proud of Amber Glenn right now! 
She's not only a total rockstar on ice but also an inspiration to the LGBTQ+ community everywhere 
. Coming out was such a huge deal for her and it totally paid off in the end 
. I mean, who needs to hide who you are when you can be your authentic self and crush it on the competition? 
And let's be real, she's not just some closeted athlete trying to fit in, she's a proud and unapologetic bisexually pansexual woman 
. I'm so excited for her at the Winter Olympics next month 
#AmberGlenn #LGBTQ+icon #FigureSkating #PrideIsPower
i mean, don't get me wrong, being true to yourself is super important but can't we give her some credit for actual talent too? 
like has she been training for 20 years or something? 
also, isn't it kinda weird that coming out makes her "more confident and authentic"? 
didn't I just watch a vid of her skate like 2 weeks ago and she was still looking all pretty and poised on the ice 
. Coming out wasn't just a breakthrough for her skating career, but also a powerful reminder that being true to ourselves can set us free 
. She's showing the world that it's okay to be different, and that our uniqueness is what makes us stronger 
. I think we can all learn from her willingness to take risks and be vulnerable, even when it means facing challenges and uncertainty 
. Her story teaches us that authenticity and self-love are the greatest edges of all 
! I feel like coming out has totally changed the game for athletes and it's about time we see more representation like this in sports. But, um, have you guys seen that new Netflix show "Wednesday" 
? I just binge-watched it over the weekend and I'm still trying to figure out what happened at the end... did they even get the last episode right? 
Can't wait to see her slay at the Olympics 
The thing that really stood out to me about Amber Glenn's story is how she wasn't trying to use coming out as a way to get ahead, but more like an opportunity for self-expression and acceptance. It's like, we can learn from her example of embracing who we are, flaws and all, and finding confidence in our own skin. For anyone struggling with feeling like they need to hide or change themselves, I'd say Glenn's story is a powerful reminder that being true to yourself is the best way to truly shine. 
.
. I'm all for people being proud of who they are and rocking their individuality, but let's not get it twisted 
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. Coming out as bisexual and pansexual seems like a game changer for her and it's awesome she can be herself on the ice without pressure. I mean, who cares about traditional beauty standards when you're gliding across the rink in your own style 
. It's not always easy to speak out and be yourself, but Amber Glenn is showing us all what it means to be fearless and confident on our own terms 
!
I'm soooo happy for Amber Glenn!! She's literally crushing the figure skating world and inspiring everyone with her courage 
Can't wait to see her shine at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics 
️
still can't believe she's the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to medal at an Olympics since 2006, that's amazing