Being Gay in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on homophobia in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out 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 the English soccer system.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - 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 encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was twenty-one 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.
“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at the player during a match.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
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 - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch 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 smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old 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 create massive change,” says the footballer on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects 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 - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete 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 make sure there is a safe space in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘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 inspirational figure in sport and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.
Yet, he is critical of 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 will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”
Despite this, Cavallo 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 who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”
