Josh Cavallo, Australia’s first openly gay male footballer, has spoken about the daily death threats he receives and the toxic environment within the sport for LGBTQ+ players. The Adelaide United midfielder, who came out in 2021, has faced relentless abuse despite the support of his club and coaches.
Cavallo shared his experiences on a podcast, revealing the immense pressure and negativity that have accompanied his decision to live openly. “There are multiple death threats coming my way every single day,” he said. “Football is a very toxic place for an openly gay player. Not everyone could handle this, and I understand why many choose to stay silent.”
Despite growing awareness and conversations around inclusion in sports, Cavallo believes football is still far from being a fully accepting space. The hostility he faces has made him reluctant to encourage other players to come out. “I still think we’re a very, very long way from acceptance. People considering coming out must weigh all these factors, and unfortunately, it comes with a lot of negativity that can affect their game in the long run.”
Cavallo has previously received homophobic abuse from crowds while playing for Adelaide and has been vocal about the issue on social media. While he would love to tell others to be themselves openly, he acknowledges the immense challenges that come with such a decision. “It’s hard to say, ‘Absolutely, come out, be yourself,’ because the reality is, it also brings a mountain of downsides that people don’t always realize.”
Having a strong support network has helped Cavallo cope with the abuse. He described how surrounding himself with supportive people has enabled him to build a mental barrier against the hate.
Reflecting on his journey, Cavallo expressed regret about not coming out sooner. He described the burden of living in secrecy and the exhaustion of hiding his true self. “I was tired of being hidden, tired of having to go around and not live my authentic life. I used to wonder why no one had come out in football and been successful, but looking back, I understand why. The negativity and abuse are overwhelming.”
Despite the challenges, Cavallo remains committed to advocating for inclusion in football. His experience highlights the work still needed to create a genuinely accepting environment where players can feel safe being themselves without fear of abuse.
