Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he left Australia to sign with 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.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“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 Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”
The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned 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 a lot that happens privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the effect a elite athlete coming out would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.
“Simply attend to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for people like myself and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing 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, honoring his efforts as a role model in athletics 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 critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed 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 scary,” states Cavallo.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo 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 seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”