Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on homophobia in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay 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, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.
The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender the athlete 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 “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a game.
“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 the athlete was physically attacked 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’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the journey I have experienced.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he says.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects 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, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in sport and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.
However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
