Being Gay in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club 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 speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club 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'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”
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 issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt 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 high level doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere 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 Jake.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.
Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people 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 create change. That's my objective.”
