Being Gay in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on homophobia in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“I hope that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”
The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.
“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.
“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in athletics and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”