Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on homophobia in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “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 due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete 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 be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique 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 backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” 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 the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised 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.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo 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 soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist 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’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.
“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.
“But I must be honest. 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 Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a game and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and Jake.
“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 creating a safe space.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in sport and a champion for equality
The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.
However, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets 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 has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
