Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“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.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
This summer he left 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 the English soccer system.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘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'm gay” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.
The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs 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 offered support, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
In January 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a match.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“It was terrifying,” 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 the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he states.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision 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 May 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.
“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in sport and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.
However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has enabled dialogue 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 who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”