Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete 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 the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages 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 trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Midfielder the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues 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 homophobia.
“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 revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said 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 announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral 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 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 “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he explains.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he says.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player another athlete 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,” comments the footballer on the effect a Premier League player 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 very toxic place.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.
“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 work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University 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 within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Football 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 have found my family. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to create change. That's my objective.”
