Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Player Cavallo was playing for 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 lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.
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 acceptance.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer 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 the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
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 recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a game and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in sport and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.
However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, 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 scary,” says the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker 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've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
