Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Player 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 departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United 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 says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at the player during a game.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful 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.
“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”
The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer 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 come this person's way. Within soccer culture, 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, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” 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.
“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’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in athletics and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
