Being Gay in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“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.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
This summer he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.
The player was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.
“The things I'd hear were painful 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 Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“I hope that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the effect a elite athlete 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 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 “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker 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 role model in sport and a champion for equality
The player says football has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, 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 is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” states the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to create change. That's my objective.”
