Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.
This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages 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 says.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to come out 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 create massive change,” comments the footballer on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.
“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - 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.
“Simply attend to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in athletics and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.
However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to create change. That's my objective.”
