Amber Glenn becomes the first out queer woman to win the US Figure Skating Championship
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Amber Glenn has made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to win the U.S. Figure Skating Championship. The talented figure skater, who identifies as bisexual and pansexual, has competed in the championship eight times prior to this victory, earning a silver medal in 2021 and a bronze medal in 2023.
Despite facing challenges during her free skate routine on January 26th, Glenn emerged triumphant with a total score of 210.46 points, surpassing silver medalist Josephine Lee’s 204.13 points and bronze medalist Isabeau Levito’s 200.68 points.
In an interview with NBC Sports, Glenn expressed her elation at being the first openly queer women’s champion. She also opened up about her initial fears of coming out, worrying that it could affect her scores or impact her career. However, she quickly realized that being true to herself was worth it, especially when she witnessed how her visibility helped young LGBTQ+ individuals feel more comfortable in their own environments.
Glenn’s historic win marks a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in the world of figure skating. While she may be the first openly LGBTQ+ woman athlete to reach the top spot at this competition, there are other out queer U.S. figure skaters who have also made their mark, including Adam Rippon, Eliot Halverson, Karina Manta, and Timothy LeDuc.
This victory comes a decade after Glenn clinched the junior U.S. championship title in 2014. However, her professional career has not been without its challenges. At the beginning of this season, she suffered from a severe concussion that temporarily hindered her progress. Additionally, she had to withdraw from the 2022 Olympic trials due to testing positive for COVID-19.
During a press conference following her win, Glenn acknowledged that it wasn’t exactly how she envisioned winning her first national title but expressed immense gratitude for the achievement. She reflected on the obstacles she has overcome throughout the past 10 years and emphasized the significance of this victory in her career.
Following her win, Glenn proudly raised the Progress Pride flag, a symbol of LGBTQ+ inclusivity and acceptance. The skater publicly came out in 2019, sharing her personal struggles with acceptance and the fear of not being embraced for who she is. As a bisexual/pansexual woman, she has often faced misconceptions and stereotypes, such as people perceiving her sexuality as a phase or indecisiveness. Despite these challenges, Glenn remains determined to be true to herself and not hide her identity.
Amber Glenn’s groundbreaking win at the U.S. Figure Skating Championship serves as a powerful testament to the progress being made in the world of sports regarding LGBTQ+ representation. Her victory not only celebrates her exceptional talent as a figure skater but also sends a message of empowerment and acceptance to young LGBTQ+ individuals who may be aspiring athletes themselves. With each barrier broken and each milestone achieved, athletes like Amber Glenn pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse sporting landscape.
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“Amber Glenn US Figure Skating Championship”
