Being Gay in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on homophobia in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Midfielder the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of the English soccer system.
This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward the player during a game.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” 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 someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely 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 high level 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 psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic 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 reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.
“Simply attend to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in sport and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has enabled dialogue 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've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”