Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “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 because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer 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 speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.
The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United 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 had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player the athlete also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward the player during a match.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“I hope that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”
The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation 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 May 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, 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, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in athletics and a advocate for fairness
The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.
However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” states the athlete.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] 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.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”
