Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on homophobia in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant 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 working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to sign with 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 semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm me’
Josh Cavallo grew up 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.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.
The player was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“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, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a match.
“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.
“I hope that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“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.
“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 there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.
“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - 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 game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) 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 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 his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in sport and a champion for equality
The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
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 same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, 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 who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to create change. That's my objective.”
