Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on homophobia in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm trying to get better as a player 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 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 National League North, one level below of English football.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.
The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “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’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.
“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”
The player 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 says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.
“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.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.
“Simply attend to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, 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 Flinders University in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in athletics and a champion for equality
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.
However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - 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 don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
