Team USA’s Amber Glenn speaks out after ‘scary’ backlash to LGBTQ+ support

American figure skater Amber Glenn has expressed disbelief at what she described as an “outlandish backlash” following her public support for the LGBTQ community at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The 26‑year‑old, who identifies as pansexual and is the first openly queer woman to represent the United States in Olympic figure skating, said she had been inundated with online hostility after speaking about the difficulties currently facing LGBTQ people in the United States.

Glenn first addressed the issue during a pre‑Games press conference on 4 February, where she remarked that “it’s been a hard time for the community overall”, linking the challenges to the political climate in the country. She stressed that the queer community, alongside other marginalised groups, had been forced to unite more strongly in the face of political pressure. 

I’m gonna keep speaking my truth… I hope we can keep going forward and be positive.

Following Team USA’s gold medal victory in the team event on 8 February, Glenn reiterated her views and revealed the extent of the backlash she had received. “I couldn’t believe the outlandish backlash I received for just supporting people,” she said, adding that she had “never had so many people wish me harm before”. The hostility, she noted, had dampened what should have been a celebratory Olympic moment. 

The skater later posted on Instagram stating she was taking a step back from social media for her wellbeing after receiving a “scary amount of hate/threats” simply for answering a question about her views. Despite this, she vowed not to stop speaking out: “I will never stop using my voice for what I truly believe in.” 

Her comments have contributed to a wider debate at these Games about the role of athletes in political and social discourse. Several other Team USA athletes, including Alysa Liu and Hilary Knight, have also spoken publicly on political matters surrounding their Olympic participation.

While Glenn’s free‑skate performance was not her strongest - she described it as “lacklustre” after finishing third - she emphasised that the online abuse and backlash had not affected her skating. Instead, she said her focus remained on representing her community and encouraging resilience: “I’m gonna keep speaking my truth… I hope we can keep going forward and be positive.”