Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a game.
“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he explains.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol 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. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his mental health.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out 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,” comments Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists 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 says.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing 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 Flinders University in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in athletics and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” says Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
