Being Gay in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments 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 reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down 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 elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed 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 play football and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the effect a elite athlete coming out 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, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker 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, honoring his efforts as a role model in sport and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - 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 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 has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove 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.”
