“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete 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 get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘People want to harm me’
Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne
Several years passed for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation 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 says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident 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 real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.
“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.
“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 ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.
“It would move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football for individuals like me and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
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 enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.
However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
