U.S. Figure Skater Who Spoke Out for LGBTQ+ Rights Ultimately Shuts Down Social Media After Cyberattacks

U.S. Figure Skater Amber Glenn
Shuts Down Account After Ongoing Threats on Social Media

Amber Glenn (26), a member of the United States national team in women's singles figure skating who has consistently spoken out for the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights and better awareness, has ultimately shut down her social media (SNS) accounts due to ongoing threats and harassment online.

After winning the gold medal in the figure skating team event at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, held at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Italy on February 9 (Korean time), Glenn said, "Recently I have received threats online that were frightening," and added, "All I did was live as myself and speak about basic human dignity and human rights, yet many people have been sending me messages filled with curses and hatred, which is heartbreaking." She continued, "I will keep speaking the truth and standing up for the right to freedom," and added, "I hope everyone will continue to move forward."

Glenn Amber, a member of the United States women's singles figure skating national team. AP Yonhap News Agency

Bisexual Glenn is regarded as an icon for LGBTQ+ people in the figure skating world. She has actively raised her voice both on and off the ice, and at many competitions in which she has competed, it has been easy to spot fans holding rainbow flags.

On this day as well, Glenn appeared wearing a LGBTQ+ pin on top of her United States team jacket. However, after she expressed a critical stance on the LGBTQ+ policies of the Donald Trump administration in the United States in the lead-up to the Olympics, she became a target of attacks from certain political groups and their followers. Threatening messages, abusive language, and mockery continued to pour in on social media, and Glenn ultimately decided to close her accounts.

Shaken mentally, Glenn was unable to deliver a performance she could be satisfied with that day. In the women's singles free skating, she made jump errors and scored a total of 138.62 points, finishing 3rd among the 5 competitors. The United States team narrowly held on to the gold medal thanks to Ilia Malinin, who skated last and finished 1st in the men's singles free skating.

Glenn said, "Because of the cyberbullying, some of the excitement I felt about these Olympics has faded, but that emotion did not directly affect my performance today," and added, "First, I think I need a good night's sleep. I want to step away from all this chaos for a while."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.