Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“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.”
Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.
This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers 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,” Cavallo comments when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.
The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”
Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at Cavallo 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.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player 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 Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
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 “toxic masculinity” that still exists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘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 role model in sport and a advocate for fairness
The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction 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 just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] 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.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing 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 drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
