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” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer 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, one level below of English football.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.
The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight 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 says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he states.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes 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. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a match and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.
“Much remains to be done 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 much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
The player says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”
