“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out 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, one level below of English football.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
Several years passed for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.
“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the path I have endured.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place 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 cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the effect a elite athlete coming out would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.
“Simply attend to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” 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 frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in football changing 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, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in sport and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms 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 also illegal.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” says Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] 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 being who they are.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
