Being Gay in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
This summer he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem 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
It took years for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.
The player 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.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a match.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? 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 professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ 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 discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.
“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 secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for taking out 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, recognising his contributions 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 disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says 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 people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
