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, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he departed from 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.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week 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 am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.
The player 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.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘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 show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward the player during a match.
“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” 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.
“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 by coming out, this is what it brings.
“I hope that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”
The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels 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 impact a elite athlete 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, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football for individuals like me and Jake.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating 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, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“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, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”