Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you 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 online platforms.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Midfielder Cavallo was at 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 lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.
This young athlete balances his sports career 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 acceptance.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
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 took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at Cavallo during a match.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“I hope that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he states.
“We don't sit straight people down 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 rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in football for individuals like me and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in athletics and a champion for equality
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
