Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” 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 on the pitch, 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 lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”
Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans directed at the player during a game.
“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he explains.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that the next person who comes out while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”
The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in athletics and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] 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 reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
