Amber Glenn Comes Out as Bi/Pan

[WeakAnkles]

There has been way too much of people shoving their sexuality in our faces in recent years so I'm very pleased Amber does not want to do that and that she is sensitive to not doing that. I truly don't care who is gay straight bisexual pansexual etc etc etc and I don't want to know about it and I don't need to know about it. The main thing for me is Amber is comfortable going public with this and that her life is good. The good thing about my sensitive nature is I don't like somebody just because of their sexuality or religious beliefs or not. I like and dislike people on their merits and what I know about them and that's it. Fortunately figure skating has some super people in it and there are a lot of people to like in figure skating no matter what they believe how what lifestyle they live.

Hmm, heterosexuals have been shoving THEIR sexuality in my gay face my entire life and while I don't have a problem with it (the world could use a lot MORE love and affection), complaining about non-heterosexuals being open or saying "I really don't care about it as long as I don't have to know about it" does bring the phrase "complete hypocrisy" to mind. Why don't you just REALLY be upfront and say, Go back into the closet all you non-heterosexual people. At least that would be far more honest.

I really think you have no clue how offensive your comments are to many many many non-heterosexual people.

 

[Sk8D8]

I perceive her comment as saying her sexuality doesn’t define who she is. It’s just a small part of what makes up a person, no matter what your sexual preference! Yes, she is Bi/Pan, but she’s sooo much more to her!

 

[Scott512]

Hmm, heterosexuals have been shoving THEIR sexuality in my gay face my entire face and while I don't have a problem with it (the world could use a lot MORE love and affection), complaining about non-heterosexuals being open or saying "I really don't care about it as long as I don't have to know about it" does bring the phrase "complete hypocrisy" to mind. Why don't you just REALLY be upfront and say, Go back into the closet all you non-heterosexual people. At least that would be far more honest.

I really think you have no clue how offensive your comments are to many many many non-heterosexual people.

What you say just isn't true I'm accepting of everyone and don't care who makes an announcement of marriage straight or not. Some people misconstrue my comments. I don't like or not like somebody because of sexual preferences. There are people like that in the world though. I have been nothing but supportive of Amber and thank her for being so thoughtful.

 

[Scott512]

I'll just say one more thing. I came in here to support Amber and to thank her for being so thoughtful. Her choices don't make me any less of a fan or any more of a fan of hers and that's the way it should be. I am sure she is receiving tremendous support that probably makes her feel great.

 

[ice coverage]

... It is crucial to the sport to show all colors of the Rainbow. While her sexuality should not define her skating, I hope she encourages others to come out. It is almost 2020 and there are still only a handful of out skaters.

:agree:

Amber has my total support. :luv17:

She said on Instastory: "Karina Manta coming out specifically inspired me to embrace the fact that I am bisexual and have started coming out. So these things are very meaningful and have impact!"

Respect for Karina and for Amber .

 

[TontoK]

I have no interest in how Amber (or any other skater) identifies or who she sleeps with.

But I wish her programs were more interesting.

 

[Sk8D8]

I am pretty sure Amber choose songs that were meaningful to her. Let’s give her time to express herself. When she is ready to skate to something upbeat or different, she will! This is where is right now and I am sure she has a reason for her choice.

 

[kolyadafan2002]

I'll just say one more thing. I came in here to support Amber and to thank her for being so thoughtful. Her choices don't make me any less of a fan or any more of a fan of hers and that's the way it should be. I am sure she is receiving tremendous support that probably makes her feel great.

I think the whole back forth thing was probably misunderstanding use of language.

 

[ancientpeas]

Politics is not allowed.

Do not try to lure people into discussing politics.

I am straight. The assumption is that people are straight. If someone is not then they have the right to clarify if they wish to do so and, just as with a straight person, they have the right to talk about their relationships. They also have the right not to talk about their relationships. There is nothing about same sex relationships that is worthy of being hidden away just because it is distasteful to you.

This thread says "Amber Glenn comes out as Bi/Pan". No one is forced to read it or reply to it.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Love it. Love her. Get it, Amber! <3

 

[Mishaminion]

The possibility or even just the fear of a negative reaction is a major reason people don't come out in the first place.

 

[el henry]

I love that Amber feels she can be herself. The point is not whether a random fan cares. The point is, can she help any other young skaters feel empowered to be themselves.

Timothy LeDuc’s quotes explain what is at stake: a

“Anyone who would prefer my silence ....They are not aware of how many youths are not in an affirming environment and need an out and open advocate to give them words of affirmation when they are in an environment where they have none. You can’t discount the importance of visibility, because each person who uses their platform to be more visible does work to change the culture, and the more we can do to change the culture, the more community of likeness we make, and when we make that community of likeness, we can be strong.”

If Amber and Tim and any other skater who has come out help just one young skater feel, I’m not alone, I can do this, I can be myself, then they can “throw it in my face” all day, every day.

And that is something about which this straight lady of certain age, married to a straight guy who is just plain old cares a lot:thumbsup:

 

[Scott512]

I think the whole back forth thing was probably misunderstanding use of language.

No question that's what happened. But I don't think anyone on this entire forum would come in here and be critical of Amber decision to go public. If there is somebody who would do that here that's on them not Amber. As for anyone who thinks we should not be talking politics or sexual identity or religion on this forum that's certainly a fair point. But sometimes these issues slide into sports as well.

 

[Casual]

Timothy LeDuc’s quotes explain what is at stake: a

“Anyone who would prefer my silence ....They are not aware of how many youths are not in an affirming environment and need an out and open advocate to give them words of affirmation when they are in an environment where they have none. You can’t discount the importance of visibility, because each person who uses their platform to be more visible does work to change the culture, and the more we can do to change the culture, the more community of likeness we make, and when we make that community of likeness, we can be strong.”

I think everyone understands what's at stake. They understand just fine, but they don't all agree on whether the culture should be changed, or whether more community of likeness should be made.

On one hand, a culture of not acceptance sucks for those who feel alone and afraid to come out. On the other hand, since people are social animals, conservatively inclined fear "contagion" and fads, and losing whatever traditional culture. Hence the bitter culture wars that define everything that's happening today in politics and ballot box.

It will be a really nice day, when no one will feel the need to officially come out in order to serve as a beacon of hope for others like them, and it won't be a newsworthy event if she/he does.

 

[Scott512]

Hmm, heterosexuals have been shoving THEIR sexuality in my gay face my entire face and while I don't have a problem with it (the world could use a lot MORE love and affection), complaining about non-heterosexuals being open or saying "I really don't care about it as long as I don't have to know about it" does bring the phrase "complete hypocrisy" to mind. Why don't you just REALLY be upfront and say, Go back into the closet all you non-heterosexual people. At least that would be far more honest.

I really think you have no clue how offensive your comments are to many many many non-heterosexual people.

Just rereading what I wrote and what you responded to I wrote that there's been too much sexuality shoved in our faces by people and by that I mean all people including mainly straight people like on reality TV shows which tend to be dramatic and fake which is why I don't watch them but I see the promos on cable TV all the time. My comment was general and not directed at gays.

As Casual and many others have said it will be great when no one will have to officially come out and declare their sexuality it will just be accepted. That may be years away but I think there's been a lot of progress made in the last 10 years or so. But I guess that depends what part of the world you live in.

 

[WeakAnkles]

Just rereading what I wrote and what you responded to I wrote that there's been too much sexuality shoved in our faces by people and by that I mean all people including mainly straight people like on reality TV shows which tend to be dramatic and fake which is why I don't watch them but I see the promos on cable TV all the time. My comment was general and not directed at gays.

As Casual and many others have said it will be great when no one will have to officially come out and declare their sexuality it will just be accepted. That may be years away but I think there's been a lot of progress made in the last 10 years or so. But I guess that depends what part of the world you live in.

I understand what you are saying as a general principle: we live in a very sexualized world, and it would be nice if people were more thoughtful about the value of at least a little discretion. But even in the most liberal of places, there is still a double standard at work: if a heterosexual couple walks down a street hand in hand, it is thought romantic and loving; if a non-heterosexual couple were do the exact same thing there will be a significant number of people who will think and even say, "Why do you have to shove your sexuality in my face?"

That's why it is so important for people like Amber to come out and be upfront about their sexuality. The unknown is fearful and is apt to be both misunderstood and mischaracterized. For an Amber Glenn to come out and say, I am bi/pan-sexual, it puts a face and a person in place of an abstraction.

 

[Scott512]

I understand what you are saying as a general principle: we live in a very sexualized world, and it would be nice if people were more thoughtful about the value of at least a little discretion. But even in the most liberal of places, there is still a double standard at work: if a heterosexual couple walks down a street hand in hand, it is thought romantic and loving; if a non-heterosexual couple were do the exact same thing there will be a significant number of people who will think and even say, "Why do you have to shove your sexuality in my face?"

That's why it is so important for people like Amber to come out and be upfront about their sexuality. The unknown is fearful and is apt to be both misunderstood and mischaracterized. For an Amber Glenn to come out and say, I am bi/pan-sexual, it puts a face and a person in place of an abstraction.

Agreed.

 

[ranjake]

Well done, Amber!

I keep thinking about how Adam Rippon has said that once he was out, his skating became so much more true, because he was being true. I don't know if Adam used this word, but I think it's not just about the acceptance of others (*although that's a huge hurdle, as Amber rightly said) and accepting oneself. It's also about valuing yourself. That's how I see it, anyway.

I was thinking the same thing. I finished his book last week. It was very insightful and moving. And at times, made me literally LOL.

 

[Figure 8's]

I have no interest in how Amber (or any other skater) identifies or who she sleeps with.

But I wish her programs were more interesting.

Nor do I. I feel it is no one's business but their own what their sexuality is. Johnny Weir was one of the most beautiful and talented skaters when he was competing. But he never hid who he was and no one cared.

 

[kolyadafan2002]

Nor do I. I feel it is no one's business but their own what their sexuality is. Johnny Weir was one of the most beautiful and talented skaters when he was competing. But he never hid who he was and no one cared.

He didn't come out till after his competitive career? As far as everybody knew, he could have just been a different skater, or unusual or unique without being necessarily gay.