Being Gay in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on homophobia in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he left Australia to sign with 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 balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” 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 twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm 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 an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level won't face the journey I have experienced.”
The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer 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, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.
“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 secure environment in football for individuals like me 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 taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in athletics and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup 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 frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on 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 inform individuals who want to learn more.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
