Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on homophobia in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “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 due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.
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.
“The future was uncertain. 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.”
His emotional coming out video, 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 among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a match.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“I hope that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard won't face the path I have experienced.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the effect a elite athlete coming out would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a game and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work 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 football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in athletics and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating 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 the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
