Josh Cavallo: A Voice Against Homophobia in Football
"You don’t belong on this earth" ... "Why are you here?" ... "Stop breathing."
Since publicly coming out as gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.
"When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart," Cavallo told BBC Sport. "No one wants to read things like that. I’m trying to improve as a player and be the best I can be on the pitch, yet I am belittled because of who I am. It’s disgusting."
Cavallo, a midfielder, was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the world's only openly gay male professional footballer in the top tier of football. This summer, he transitioned from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, which competes in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football, attracting crowds of approximately 400.
At 25, Cavallo balances his football career with advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues, leveraging his platform—over one million followers on Instagram—to promote equality and inclusion. "We absolutely have mountains to climb," he stated when asked about the ongoing problem of homophobia in football. "I don’t go a week without hearing about an issue."
It took years for Cavallo to muster the courage to say, "I’m gay," finally coming out on October 27, 2021. In a video accompanying his announcement, he expressed, "All I want to do is play football and be treated equally."
In 2014, former Aston Villa and Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger came out as gay after retiring from the sport. Cavallo was only 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United when he publicly revealed his sexuality, supported by his teammates. "I didn’t know what to expect," he recalled. "It felt like the right time in my life to take the next step forward." His emotional video, titled 'Josh's Truth,' went viral, resulting in an overwhelming outpouring of support.
High-profile clubs, including Liverpool, expressed their solidarity, with then-manager Jurgen Klopp stating, "I’m really thankful that he did it because now we talk again." Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, acknowledging Cavallo's role in moving the football world forward. However, not all responses were positive. Cavallo soon became a target for homophobic abuse from opposing fans. In January 2022, Melbourne Victory was fined A$5,000 (£2,500) for anti-gay abuse directed at him during a match.
"The things I heard were hurtful and derogatory towards my community," he said. "I didn’t react because that would only feed the haters." A particularly frightening incident occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognized him. "That was a scary moment," he recalled. "I remember thinking, ‘this is real—people want to harm me.’"
Cavallo noted that the continuous death threats and abuse have significantly impacted his mental health. "It’s sad that I have to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am. We don’t question straight players about their existence in football," he said. "Many see me as a smiling, positive person, but there are days when I rely on my fiancé, Leighton, who witnesses the struggles I face behind the scenes."
Cavallo's decision to come out inspired 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to become the UK’s only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022. However, no openly gay or bisexual players are currently in the Premier League. "It would move mountains," Cavallo remarked about the potential impact of a Premier League player coming out, but he cautioned that such a decision could invite significant challenges. "The world of football can be a very toxic place for openly gay players."
Reflecting on the legacy of Justin Fashanu, the first openly gay male footballer in Britain who tragically took his own life in 1998, Cavallo highlighted the ongoing issue of toxic masculinity in men’s football. "You just need to go to a match to see the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings. There’s still much work to be done to create a safe space in football for players like myself and Jake. We haven’t seen as many players come out as we would like. I will continue to advocate for what I believe is right and work towards removing toxic masculinity from football environments."
How has Cavallo been received at Peterborough Sports? "Really positively. Everyone has been nice, and the respect is there. I had offers from other countries, but it was essential for me to find a club where I could be comfortable and be myself off the pitch," he explained. Tim Woodward, owner of Peterborough Sports, expressed confidence that Cavallo would be welcomed by supporters. "It was a big step for Josh to leave Australia, but he has settled in well. I didn’t expect any homophobic abuse from our fans; they have embraced him," Woodward stated, adding that measures are in place to protect Cavallo if such incidents occur.
Woodward noted that the club signed Cavallo after watching his performances at Adelaide United. "Josh said he wanted to come to England but was unsure of the level to pitch himself at. There’s been a change of management since he signed, and he has been on the bench recently. Phil has to assess what he’s capable of, but Josh’s time will come."
Cavallo believes football has facilitated conversations about coming out in dressing rooms. However, he remains committed to creating change and ensuring that future players do not endure the same challenges he has faced.