Amber Glenn changed the skating world by being herself
What it means to see an out, queer woman win silver at U.S. Nationals
There are moments as a skating fan when you cry because you’re watching something beautiful. There are moments when you cry because you’re watching something history-making. And there are moments when you cry double because you’re watching both.
About halfway through Amber Glenn’s free skate at the 2021 U.S. Nationals, I started sobbing.
She killed that free skate. Full stop. She was glorious. Strong, powerful skating, emotive and clean. It was beautiful.
It also made history.
Because of that free skate, Amber Glenn, an openly bi/pansexual woman, won a silver medal. That means she is now the first-ever out ladies medalist at the U.S. National Championships. In fact she’s the first-ever out ladies skater to actively compete on the international senior circuit ever. EVER. In the 119 years of women competing in skating.
Figure skating can be an incredibly conservative sport, particularly with regards to expectations around gender and sexuality, and because it is a judged sport, athletes often have concerns that coming out will impact their scores.
While skating has become a space in recent years in which more men feel safe being out, it has been slower going for women. When Glenn publicly came out in December of 2019 in an interview with dallasvoice, she said, “The fear of not being accepted is a huge struggle for me… but I also don’t want to hide who I am.”
Glenn is not totally alone in history. She follows in the footsteps of Karina Manta, a former American ice dancer who came out as bisexual in 2018 while still actively competing; and in Rachel Parsons, a U.S. ice dancer, and Fumie Suguri, a Japanese ladies skater, who both came out as bi soon after retiring.
Glenn’s choice to come out, and the incredible success she has had as her open self, has inspired skating fans. This medal feels like a watershed moment for so many, and hopefully it will create even more space for people of all gender identities and sexualities to be themselves in skating. And it feels like Glenn — who has been landing triple axels in practice and warmups and tried one in her Nationals short program— is just getting started.
Here are some messages from queer skating fans about what this moment means:
To have someone come out in the middle of their career in a sport that is so homophobic and go out there and win a National medal… I just could not be any more proud that she advocates for and represents our community! I don’t have a lot of words, but I’m just so overjoyed!
— Ari
As a fellow bisexual woman, Amber’s win is quite special. In a sport like figure skating which is known for being more conservative and latching onto ideas of what men and women should be; as well as in a world which goes out of its way to erase bisexuality and pansexuality, Amber’s win proves that we’re here, and we are just as much capable of success as anyone else, while being visible and unashamed.
— Sapir
Figure skating actually made me realize I was queer. I was so happy to see gay men in skating but to see out women was another level for me. And to see an out queer woman win a national medal — well, I’m thrilled and I’m crying and I feel very represented and seen.
— Mandy
I’m a bisexual and I currently compete in masters synchro. The rink is the last place in my life where I am not completely out and seeing her succeed after coming out makes me feel like there really is a place for queer women in this sport and that maybe I can worry a little less about how the people I skate with perceive my sexuality and just be able to relax and perform my best.
— Erika
Representation is SO important! I think a big reason I didn’t come to terms with my sexuality until I was in my 20s was because I had a very limited view of what bi women looked like, how they dressed, talked, acted, and what they could BE. If I had someone like Amber to look up to when I was younger, I think I would have had an easier time, but getting to watch her now is still so encouraging and makes my heart swell with pride.
— Anon
Amber’s medal is so special because it shows that an athlete can achieve success while also being their authentic selves. Knowing that she is part of the community allows me to connect with her even more during her programs.
— Justin
Hi Amber, I don’t even have words to describe how I felt watching your performances at Nationals. I’ve always been a huge fan of your skating because your programs never fail to move me. No matter what, you always leave your heart on the ice. As a queer girl who loves figure skating, it’s so inspirational to see you out here doing what you love while being so fearlessly yourself. You have a beautiful soul and I believe you will achieve many great things in life. Sending you lots of love!
— Isabel
It feels like there’s more representation for queer male skaters nowadays but that stigma isn’t quite broken for women. I’m so glad we have Amber to show us what that looks like in our sport. I know I struggle with my identity and seeing more people like her helps
— 임아리
Amber’s podium finish crumbles the wall that keeps lgbt people (especially bi/pan women) from success in sport and in the general public sphere. It heals my soul to see a person like me having such success. I feel such pride in her accomplishment.
— the red ballerina
As a queer, non-binary figure skater myself, seeing Amber’s success brings me so much joy. Her openness about her identity validates the struggles of young (and even adult!) skaters who are finding their way in an often homophobic sport.
— Anna
