Adelaide United’s Josh Cavallo Has Become Australia’s First Openly Gay Active Footballer
Adelaide United footballer Josh Cavallo has made history as Australia's first - and the world's only - currently playing gay footballer.
Adelaide United player and young Socceroo Josh Cavallo has made history as the first male Australian football player — and only professional football player worldwide — to come out as gay while still playing at a professional level.
The 21-year-old, who signed a two-year contract extension with Adelaide United earlier this year, took to social media on Wednesday morning to publicly make the announcement.
“Today, I’m ready to speak about something personal that I’m finally comfortable to talk about in my life,” he wrote in an emotional social media post. “I am proud to publicly announce that I am gay.”
— Josh Cavallo (@JoshuaCavallo) October 27, 2021
While it’s easy to sit back and say that any player — or person’s — sexuality doesn’t impact their ability to do their job and therefore shouldn’t ever need to be a national talking point, the reality is that Cavallo’s bravery in publicly declaring himself as proudly gay will be cemented as an important moment in football history.
Prior to his announcement, only 13 professional football players have ever come out as gay — one of which (Justin Fashanu) later took his own life, another (Robbie Rogers) retired soon after due to the unrelenting scrutiny he faced.
Currently, Cavallo is not only the only openly gay footballer in Australia — but in the entire world at any professional level, which further emphasises just how monumental the move is.
“It is astonishing to know that there are currently no gay professional footballers who are out and actively playing, not only in Australia but around the world,” he pointed out.
“Hopefully this will change in the near future.”
However, it’s worth noting that former Newcastle Jets player Andy Brennan was the first Australian to ever come out, making the announcement in 2019 — two years after his retirement from the league.
In an opinion piece published on 10Play today, Cavallo expressed that his team and coaches — who are like his second family — were part of the reason he found the strength to go public.
“But through the support I have had, Adelaide United has made me realise football is more than just a game – it is a family. Adelaide United have played a big part in me being able to be my authentic self. It’s a club culture that doesn’t come around too often,” he said.
His comments come after he flagged the team’s culture as a major reason why he was so excited to re-sign his contract earlier this year.
“I’m really excited for the future and excited that it will be here in a Reds shirt,” he said at the time.
“When I first got to the Club, I immediately noticed how good the environment was around the team and that’s something that can definitely contribute to my development.”
Adelaide United coach Carl Veart has welcomed his decision to go public and supports him.
“Josh is a tremendous young man and has shown incredible courage to be one of very few professional sportsmen to be this brave,” Veart said in a statement.
“I have nothing but admiration and support for him, as do all the players and coaching staff.
“I want all my players to feel comfortable and happy being their own person, on and off the park.
Throughout his lengthy statement today, Cavallo hoped his bravery would inspire more gay men to get involved in the sport without fear of judgement.
“I also hope that examples such as myself and Thomas [Beattie — who came out last year] can change things for the next generation. Statistics show only 33% of young gay men play football in comparison to 68% of young straight men. That’s a lot of wasted young players missing out – players that could be very talented, but who don’t fit the norm. Perhaps we can play a part in saying that football accepts everyone – that you are all welcome?” he said.
“Coming to terms with being myself has been a very isolating and lonely journey. Football has been my safe haven. Being on the pitch was where I could concentrate on playing and winning. So the game, on some level, has saved me from going to that darker place.”
Prior to his time at Adelaide United, Cavallo has played professionally for Melbourne City and Western United, and represented Australia at a national level as a member of the U-20s team, the Young Socceroos, in 2018.
He will remain with the Reds until the end of the 2022/23 season, but at just 21 years old, will hopefully have a career in the league for years to come.
Supporters across Australia — both football fans and non-sports fans alike — have rallied around Cavallo since news broke on Wednesday afternoon, in what can only be described as a sign that perhaps professional male sport is taking a much-needed step in the right direction.