Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years 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 be treated equally,” he stated 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 didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
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.
“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have experienced.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for my identity,” 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 gets to see much of what occurs privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists 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 ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations 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 who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
