Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on homophobia in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 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.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a game.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.
“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have experienced.”
Cavallo 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 soccer pitch 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, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision 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.
Nevertheless, 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 have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a game and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (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 harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in athletics and a champion for equality
Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” states the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“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 your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
