Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on homophobia in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below 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 leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes 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.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.
The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
In January 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward the player during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a gas 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. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field 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, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, 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 disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay 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 create massive change,” says the footballer on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.
“Simply attend to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in athletics and a champion for equality
Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's scary,” states the athlete.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”
