Being Gay in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments 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 working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a match.
“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked 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 by coming out, this is what it brings.
“I hope that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey 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 soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the impact 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 highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘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 inspirational figure in athletics and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.
However, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target 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 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 mission is to create change. That's my objective.”
