Being Gay in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments 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 be the best I can be on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.
The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
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 appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, 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 endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad 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 cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in sport and a champion for equality
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions 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, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who want to learn more.
“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 create change. That's my objective.”
