Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing his homosexuality 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,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder the sportsman was at 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 lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.
This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Definitely, 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’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete 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 said in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs 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 the athlete also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a game.
“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.
“I didn't react 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 an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades 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 still exists in men's football.
“Simply attend 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 secure environment in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for 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 an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in athletics and a champion for equality
Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer 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 have found my family. I have found my community.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
