Being Gay in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “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 abusive messages on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a match.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely 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 doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he says.
“We don't sit straight people down 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 gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 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 must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and Jake.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“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.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in athletics and a champion for equality
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms 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 will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the global championship 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 the athlete.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart 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 often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
