Being Gay in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in soccer
“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 online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player 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, one level below of English football.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division 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 recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a match.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “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.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages 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 says.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide 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 audience creates,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who want to learn more.
“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”
