Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere

“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player 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 because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams 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 now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he explains.

“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“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 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 won't face the journey I have experienced.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” 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 there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, 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 attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation 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 very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing 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 breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“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.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My mission is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”