Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of the English soccer system.
This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“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 build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.
The player was 21 and building his reputation 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 recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a match.
“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely 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 taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” 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 (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards 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 Flinders University in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.
Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, 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 World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” says the athlete.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate 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 mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”