Being Gay in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“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.”
Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he left 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.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘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'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.
The player was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United 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 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 show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a match.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”
The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong 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?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic 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 prompt 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the effect a Premier League player coming out would make.
“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture 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 his colleague.
“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 soccer locker 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 sport and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.
However, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” states the athlete.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My mission is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”