“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. 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.
This summer he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.
The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club 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. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, 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.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at the player during a game.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he says.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to come out 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 Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.
“Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for people like myself and Jake.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in sport and a champion for equality
Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.
Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.
“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”
