Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on homophobia in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo 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 get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below 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 - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo 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
Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a game.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages 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 being who I am,” 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 smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure 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.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards taking out 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, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in sport and a advocate for fairness
The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” states the athlete.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] 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 huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
