Being Gay in Men's Football: 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?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
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,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.
“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 show solidarity with the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, posting online 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 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident 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 recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a high level 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 disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But sometimes 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 disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the effect a Premier League player coming out would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a match and observe 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 soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in sport and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”
