A Message to the Community: Solidarity in Milan

By Ella Slater for Family Style

February 18, 2026

 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics

Portrait of Aleksandra Artamonovskaja next to work by Jenni Pasanen. Courtesy of Trilitech.

My Thoughts: Figure skater Amber Glenn has become the primary archetype for this "Glide." As the first openly queer woman to represent Team USA in Olympic singles skating, Glenn has navigated a terrain that is increasingly thin. Following her gold medal victory in the team event, she spoke to the necessity of finding strength in a community that is under constant observation and pressure.

4 Big Facts from the Olympic Ice:

  • The Pioneer's Burden: At 26, Glenn is the oldest U.S. woman to compete in Olympic singles since the 1920s, using her "longevity as a skill" to challenge the industry's obsession with disposable youth.

  • The Visibility Crisis: Despite winning gold, Glenn faced a "scary amount" of online threats following her comments on the political climate, forcing a temporary retreat from social media—a move she framed as a tactical preservation of mental health.

  • The "Blade Angels": Alongside teammates Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito, Glenn has fostered a "skating sisterhood" that rejects the catty tropes of the past in favor of radical mutual support.

  • The Slogan: Her trademark "Believe + Breathe" has become a mantra for the community, emphasizing the ability to "rise through the challenges" while maintaining the rhythm of the body.

Instagram Post

“Insiders” by Brendan Fernandes