Being Gay in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
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,” Cavallo explains. “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 face criticism 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 top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘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 coming out on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“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, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
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 did it because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender the athlete 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 backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a match.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory 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 the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt 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 competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I deserve a place 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?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, 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 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes 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. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in soccer 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 principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in sport and a champion for equality
Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.
Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, 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 ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”
