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” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player explains. “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 get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo 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
It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded 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 the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a game.
“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.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo 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? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level won't face the path I have experienced.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he says.
“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 gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (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 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 athletics and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, 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 homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - 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 LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”
