Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo 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 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 top-flight male professional footballer 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 the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.
The player 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.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention 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 the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“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 affected his mental health.
“It's quite sad 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 ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation 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, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.
“Simply attend to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (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 toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.
However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's scary,” states 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 people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”