Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, 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 get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.
The player was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans directed at the player during a game.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” he explains.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“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, this is what it brings.
“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.
“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a game and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, 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 his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in athletics and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] 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. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
