Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“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.”
After announcing his homosexuality 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,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm 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 be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.
The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.
“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
In January 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward the player during a match.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” 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 sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - 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.
“You just need to go to a match and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and Jake.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms 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, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target 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 inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My mission is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”