Plano native and U.S. Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn says she is stepping back from social media after receiving what she described as a “scary” number of threats following recent remarks about politics and LGBTQ+ rights.
Glenn shared the decision in posts to her Instagram account this week, saying the volume and tone of the messages raised safety concerns and took a toll on her mental health. She did not detail the nature of the threats but said they escalated after comments she made earlier this month while speaking with reporters.
During interviews surrounding the Winter Olympics, Glenn was asked about the political climate for LGBTQ+ Americans. She spoke about her personal experiences as a queer athlete and expressed concern about policies and rhetoric affecting LGBTQ+ communities.
Glenn publicly came out as bisexual and pansexual in 2019 and has since been open about her identity, often using her platform to advocate for inclusion and mental health awareness in sports. Her comments during the Games drew both support and backlash online, prompting the decision to limit her digital presence.
USA Figure Skating and Olympic officials have not announced any formal response to the threats, and no injuries or arrests related to the messages have been reported. Glenn emphasized that stepping away from social media is a temporary measure as she focuses on her well-being and training.
The situation highlights ongoing concerns about online harassment of high-profile athletes, particularly during major international competitions when public attention and scrutiny are heightened.
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