Australian Footballer Josh Cavallo Comes Out as Gay
The 21-year-old announced to his social media platform that he was ready to speak openly about a personal part of his life. The accompanying video posted with a powerful statement captured the attention of the sports world this week, as it makes Josh Cavallo the only openly gay footballer playing at the top-flight level in global football. As the world has become ever more progressive on LGBT rights, it is seen as an anomaly the sheer lack of openly gay elite footballers, and it speaks to the stigma that still exists preventing players from speaking their truths.
The world of sport took notice of a young Australian footballers bravery this week, as Josh Cavallo opens up about being a gay professional footballer. ©Sharon McCutcheon/Pixabay
In his statement, Josh Cavallo spoke to the exhaustion he feels of having to perform at the highest level and hide his true self. Living a double life whilst training and competing for Adelaide United was something Josh Cavallo felt was not necessary to do anymore. The journey to get to the point he is at now would not have been without its difficulties, but it’s clear that now his decision was the right thing to do.
After fighting with his sexuality for six years and feeling the tolls being taken on his mental health, Josh Cavallo says he is happy to put these dark times in the past. Happiness is inextricably tied to being comfortable with the person you know yourself to be, living like someone else to hide your true self is never going to be a solution, and with his public statement this week, Josh is trying to inspire and give confidence to other people who may find themselves in a similar situation.
Josh Cavallo describes how the support from his family, coaches, friends, teammates, and fans have been immense. The fear he had of being judged prior to coming up quickly evaporated, and if anything, the respect for Josh has grown since taking the decision to reveal this personal aspect of his life.
Hugely Significant Moment for Global Football
On a surface level, Josh Cavallo coming out may not seem that significant in today’s world. But given the lack of openly gay footballers, this is being seen as a huge step given the overwhelming social-media reaction this news has received. Choosing to speak as an active player separates him from other players who came out after retirement.
As Josh says himself, too many men have thought that to be successful in football there is no possibility to be openly gay. Many players would have suffered under the stress of hiding their true personalities and been dissuaded from coming out. But as global attitudes and acceptance of the LGBT community have improved, Josh Cavallo feels confident enough to make his statement, and that is a significant step forward for the inclusivity of Australian football.
With the full support of his teammates and the outpouring of love on social media, Josh Cavallo is living proof that old opinions on this question are no longer the majority. Acceptance of each person’s sexuality is a natural state for most young people in the world nowadays, this statement will add to the momentum this movement has and will help others who may be suffering in silence.
The outpouring of support can only be described as immense, Australia’s professional players union have publicly stated that they are pleased the player was able to come out and be honest with the world whilst receiving so much support.
The decision taken by Josh Cavallo cannot be understated in terms of importance for helping to advance the treatment of LGBT people in football. The current climate doesn’t allow for this community to be openly active within the game, and the lack of openly gay footballers in global sport is a complete reaffirmation of this. Other players who may be living an alternate version of themselves in silence will now be inspired to remove this burden and be proud of who they are.
