Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.
Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“I hope that the next person who comes out while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player coming out would have.
“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. 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 - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.
“Simply attend to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.
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.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
