🔗 Share this article

“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, 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 - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

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

“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“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, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded 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 Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a match.

“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”

There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he states.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player coming out would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work 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 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 creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, 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 homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”