Amber Glenn, an accomplished figure skater from Plano, Texas, hails from a remarkable family background. Her mother, Cathlene, is a fitness instructor, and her father, Richard, serves as a police officer. Glenn, born on October 28, 1999, embarked on her skating journey in 2004 and has since achieved numerous accolades.
She clinched the bronze medal at the 2013 Junior Grand Prix (JGP) in the Czech Republic and claimed the national junior champion title at the 2014 United States Championships. Additionally, Glenn secured bronze medals in two ISU Junior Grand Prix competitions (2013 JGP Czech Republic and 2014 JGP France). Her recent triumph includes being crowned the 2024 U.S. national champion, marked by two ISU Grand Prix bronze medals and three ISU Challenger Series medals.
Parents of Amber Glenn: Richard and Cathlene
Amber Elaine Glenn, an exceptional athlete, was raised in Texas by her parents, Richard and Cathlene, alongside her younger sister Brooke.
Cathlene, a fitness instructor, instilled healthy habits in the family, while Richard pursued his career as a dedicated police officer. Although limited information is available about their personal and professional lives, it is evident that Amber has received unwavering support from Richard and Cathlene since the inception of her career. This support is evident from their frequent Facebook posts, where they proudly showcase their daughter’s achievements.
On one such occasion, Richard joyfully recounted Amber’s participation in the renowned Broadmoor Open in Colorado Springs, CO, when she was just nine years old. Both Richard and Cathlene have consistently been a source of inspiration and encouragement for Amber throughout her journey.
Amber Glenn’s Sister Brooke Glenn: A College Student
Brooke, Amber Glenn’s sister, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice/Forensic Psychology at Texas State University. Born in July 2001, she is two years younger than Amber. Apart from her academic pursuits, Brooke showcased her athleticism as a cheerleader during her school years, engaging in a variety of activities. The two sisters share a strong bond, as evident from Amber’s frequent Instagram posts featuring her and Brooke.
Making History as the First LGBTQ+ Female Figure Skater on Team USA
Amber Glenn etched her name in history on January 26 by securing the US Women’s Figure Skating Championship as the first LGBT woman. As she received her gold medal and adorned the Progress Pride flag over her shoulders, the audience applauded the 24-year-old athlete.
In 2019, she bravely came out as bisexual and pansexual, becoming an invaluable role model for young LGBTQ+ figure skaters. Her historic win at the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships marked her as the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to clinch a medal in the United States. Reflecting on her journey, Amber highlighted the prevalent assumption of men’s sexual orientation in the figure skating sphere, leading to a lack of representation for bisexual and queer women. Nevertheless, she chose to authentically represent herself as a bisexual woman in the realm of figure skating.
