Being Gay in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on homophobia in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo 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 due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“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 Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “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 digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”
The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend 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 soccer for people like myself and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in athletics and a champion for equality
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the global championship 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 being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals 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 create change. That's what I'm here for.”
