Olympic gold medallist Amber Glenn says she is limiting her time online after receiving a “scary amount of hate/threats” for speaking up about LGBTQ+ rights at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
Glenn, who won gold as part of Team USA’s figure skating team event on Sunday (8 February), is one of a record-breaking 41 out LGBTQ+ athletes at this year’s Games. She identifies as pansexual and has been vocal about her advocacy for the queer community throughout the Olympics.
On Saturday (7 February), Glenn posted to Instagram acknowledging the toll the backlash has taken:
“When I chose to utilise 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, according to Us Weekly.
“I did anticipate this, but I am disappointed by it. I will be limiting my time on social media for my own well-being for now. But, I will never stop using my voice for what I believe in.”
“I’m gonna keep speaking my truth.”
The threats followed comments Glenn made during a press conference on 4 February, where she reflected on the political challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S.
“It’s been a hard time for the community overall in this administration,” she said, adding that the queer community, like other marginalised groups, has had to “fight for our human rights.”
She continued:
“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.”
On Sunday, after her gold medal win, Glenn echoed her earlier sentiments. While confirming she was stepping away from social platforms, she reaffirmed her resolve:
“I’m not online right now because of [the backlash],” she said, per USA Today. “But I’m gonna keep speaking my truth. I’m gonna keep representing what I believe in and what I think all Americans believe in — which is freedom and being able to love and do what you want.”
“I just hope we can keep going forward and be positive.”
Music Dispute Emerges
In a separate development, Glenn may also be facing issues regarding the music used in her free skate program. She performed to “The Return” by Seb McKinnon, who releases music under the name CLANN.
On Sunday, McKinnon posted on X (formerly Twitter) claiming they had not granted permission for the track to be used in Glenn’s performance.
No further comment has been made by Glenn or Team USA regarding the alleged music rights issue.
