Being Gay in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out 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 the English soccer system.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a game.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm 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 playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he says.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs 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 come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation 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 highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and Jake.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in sport and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.
However, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's scary,” states Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”