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” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo 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 due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay 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 National League North, one level below of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“The future was uncertain. 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 ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a game.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“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 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’.
“Should this be tolerated? 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 high level won't face the journey I have endured.”
The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he says.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist 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 a lot that happens privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.
“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player coming out would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (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 creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in sport and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”
