Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
Several years passed for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “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 messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident 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 recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“I hope that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘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 playing soccer professional 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 elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“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 much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards 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 an academic institution in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.
Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament 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 ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. 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 has allowed me to speak and educate people 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 mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
