Being Gay in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “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 face criticism because of who I am. 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 join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.
The player was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club 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.”
Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.
“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he says.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, 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 prompt 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 move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player coming out would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.
“Simply attend to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in athletics and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“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 that land? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
