Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
This summer he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.
The player was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a match.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that the next person who comes out while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.
“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the effect a elite athlete coming out would have.
“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 highly hostile environment.”
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 “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.
“Simply attend to a game and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in athletics and a champion for equality
Cavallo 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 Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”
