Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, 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 leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week 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'm gay” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.
The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight 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 wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.
“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 gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a match and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in football for individuals like me and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in sport and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.
“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”
