Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on homophobia in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“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 appalling.”
Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay 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, one level below of English football.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.
The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight 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. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded 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 the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a game.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” he explains.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.
“Simply attend to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in sport and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - 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 the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak 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 mission is to create change. That's my objective.”
