Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”
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.
This summer 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 combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“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 build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.
The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” 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 digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a match.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” 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 sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out 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.”
Twenty-seven years 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 men's football.
“Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.
Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
