Being Gay in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Player 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 departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.
The 25-year-old 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 promote fairness and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm 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.
“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a match.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his mental health.
“It's quite sad because I must justify 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 cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the effect a Premier League player coming out 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 - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere 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.
“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.
Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I receive communications [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 huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
