Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
This summer he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, 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 - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“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 coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.
“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 express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” he explains.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that the next person who comes out while playing football at a high level won't face the journey I have experienced.”
The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong 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?’.
“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in athletics and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.
“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 create change. That's what I'm here for.”
