Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier 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 social media - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt 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 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.
The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention 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 show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident 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 recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”
The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I must justify 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 ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘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 Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. 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 - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to make sure 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 what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in athletics and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.
Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me 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'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has enabled dialogue 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 have found my family. I have found my community.
“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”
