Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on homophobia in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.
Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a match.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“I hope that the next person who comes out while playing football at a high level won't face the path I have experienced.”
The player says the daily death threats 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 being who I am,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘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 come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the effect a elite athlete coming out would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in sport and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says soccer 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 homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament 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 imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
