Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, 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 appalling.”
Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues 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.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” 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 announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
In January 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
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.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have experienced.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he states.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player coming out would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in football for individuals like me 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 soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in sport and a champion for equality
The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.
Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's scary,” states the athlete.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - 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.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
