APPLETON, Wis. — Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn has faced a wave of backlash, including threats, after speaking out about representing the LGBTQIA+ community during the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 26-year-old athlete, who identifies as pansexual, shared her concerns in a press conference and later addressed the harassment on social media, emphasizing her commitment to using her platform amid challenging times for marginalized groups.
Glenn, the first openly LGBTQIA+ figure skater to represent Team USA in a Winter Olympics, made her comments during a team press conference on Wednesday, February 4, in preparation for the Games in Italy. When asked about her role in representing the queer community, she highlighted the broader struggles under the current administration. “It’s been a hard time for the community overall in this administration. It isn’t the first time that we’ve had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights,” Glenn said, according to reports from the event. She added that the challenges now extend beyond the queer community to other groups, fostering unexpected solidarity. “And now, especially, it’s not just affecting the queer community, but many other communities. I think that we are able to support each other in a way that we didn’t have to before, and because of that, it’s made us a lot stronger.”
Her remarks came at a moment when political tensions in the United States have intensified debates over rights for LGBTQIA+ individuals, including legislation affecting sports participation and public expression. Glenn, who publicly came out as pansexual in 2019, has long navigated perceptions of her identity in the public eye. In an interview with the Dallas Voice that year, she reflected on the personal toll: “The fear of not being accepted is a huge struggle for me. Being perceived as [going through] ‘just a phase’ or [being] ‘indecisive’ is a common thing for bisexual/pansexual women. I don’t want to shove my sexuality in people’s faces, but I also don’t want to hide who I am.”
Despite anticipating some negative response, Glenn was taken aback by the severity of the reaction following her press conference. On Saturday, February 7, she posted on her Instagram Stories, detailing the harassment she had received. “When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans, I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice when asked about how I feel,” she wrote. Glenn, who is based in Texas and trains with the Skating Club of Boston, noted that she had foreseen backlash but found it disappointing nonetheless. “I did anticipate this, but I am disappointed by it.”
The athlete's decision to address the threats publicly underscores her determination not to be silenced. During the February 4 press conference, she explicitly rejected the notion that athletes should avoid political topics. “I hope I can use my platform and my voice throughout these Games to try and encourage people to stay strong in these hard times,” she told reporters. Glenn pushed back against critics who urge sports figures to “stick to sports,” arguing that politics permeate all aspects of life. “I know that a lot of people say, ‘You’re just an athlete, like, stick to your job, shut up about politics,’ but politics affect us all.” She continued, emphasizing the everyday impact: “It is something that I will not just be quiet about because it is something that affects us in our everyday lives. So, of course, there are things that I disagree with, but as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days are ahead of us.”
“When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans, I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice when asked about how I feel,” Glenn wrote via her Instagram Stories on Saturday, February 7. “I did anticipate this, but I am disappointed by it.”
To cope with the online vitriol, Glenn announced she would limit her social media engagement during the Olympics. In her Instagram post, she shared a photo of her press conference quote and explained, “I will be limiting my time on social media for my own wellbeing for now. But, I will never stop using my voice for what I believe in. 🤍 Xoxo, Amber.” This step reflects a growing trend among public figures facing harassment, particularly during high-profile events like the Olympics, where social media amplifies both support and criticism.
Glenn's journey to this point has been marked by trailblazing achievements in figure skating, a sport known for its artistic expression and, increasingly, its inclusivity. She qualified for the U.S. Olympic team after a strong performance at the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she earned a spot in the women's singles event. Her selection as the first openly queer skater for Team USA in the Winter Games builds on the legacy of other LGBTQIA+ athletes who have pushed boundaries in the sport, such as pairs skater Timothy LeDuc, who competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The figure skating community has largely embraced Glenn since her coming out. In a recent interview with NBC News last month, she described the sport's unique environment. “Figure skating is unique. We have more acceptance and more of a community in the queer space, and I feel like I’ve been accepted with open arms, and that’s not the case for all sports,” Glenn said. This contrasts with challenges in other athletic disciplines, where queer athletes have reported higher levels of discrimination. Organizations like U.S. Figure Skating have promoted diversity initiatives, including partnerships with LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups, which may contribute to the welcoming atmosphere Glenn experienced.
However, the backlash Glenn encountered highlights ongoing divisions in public discourse. While her supporters praised her courage—evidenced by positive comments from fellow athletes and fans on social media—critics, including some conservative commentators, accused her of politicizing the Olympics. According to reports from entertainment outlets, the threats she received included messages that reportedly questioned her patriotism and suitability as a Team USA representative. Glenn has not detailed the specifics of the threats, but her description of them as “scary” suggests a level of intimidation that could impact athletes' willingness to speak out.
The 2026 Winter Olympics, set to take place from February 6 to February 22 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, will feature over 100 events across 16 disciplines, with figure skating as a centerpiece. Team USA's delegation includes 12 figure skaters, competing in singles, pairs, ice dance, and team events. Glenn's participation comes amid heightened scrutiny of the International Olympic Committee's policies on athlete expression, which allow for personal statements but discourage overt political protests during competitions.
Beyond Glenn's story, the broader context of LGBTQIA+ representation in the Olympics has evolved significantly. The Games have seen increasing visibility for queer athletes, from diver Tom Daley in Tokyo 2020 to skier Gus Kenworthy in Sochi 2014. Yet, external pressures persist, with reports from human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch noting that anti-LGBTQIA+ laws in various countries, including recent U.S. state-level restrictions, create a challenging backdrop for athletes like Glenn.
As Glenn prepares for her events—likely including the women's short program on February 18 and free skate on February 20—she remains focused on performance while advocating for change. Her experience echoes that of other Olympians who have balanced athletic excellence with activism, such as basketball star Sue Bird, who has spoken on similar issues. U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee officials have not publicly commented on Glenn's situation, but sources close to the team emphasize support for athletes' free speech rights.
The incident also raises questions about online safety for public figures. Cybersecurity experts have noted a surge in threats against LGBTQIA+ individuals on platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), with the FBI reporting over 7,000 incidents of cyberstalking in 2024 alone. Glenn's decision to step back from social media aligns with recommendations from mental health advocates, who urge boundaries to protect well-being during stressful periods like the Olympics.
Looking ahead, Glenn's voice could inspire younger athletes in figure skating, a sport with a history of glamour but also rigid expectations. As she skates under the Olympic rings, her story serves as a reminder of the intersection between sports, identity, and society. Whether her outspokenness leads to policy discussions or further solidarity within Team USA, it underscores the evolving role of athletes as cultural influencers. For now, Glenn has pledged to continue advocating, threats notwithstanding, as the Games unfold in the coming weeks.
In Appleton, where community support for local athletes runs deep, Glenn's resilience resonates. As a Midwestern hub with its own skating traditions, the city watches with pride—and concern—as one of its adopted stars navigates these turbulent waters.