Being Gay in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on homophobia in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant 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 working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to join non-league 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 Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“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.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”
Spanish player the athlete also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo 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.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he says.
“We don't sit straight people down 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 witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out 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 elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a game and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.
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.
Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] 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.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”
