#josh cavallo

[fooootballlllheurrrrr]

[jonghoos]

Josh Cavallo came out in 2021 and was (as far as I know) the first openly gay current male footballer internationally. He played in the A-League which is the highest level of Australian football/soccer, and after his contract ended he moved to England where he now plays in a lower league.

Today he opened up in this post about his former club's homophobia. He's also spoken previously about receiving death threats.

(I made the mistake of reading some of the comments on the post and recommend nobody else does either. There are so many supportive comments too but the negative ones stand out.)

I think the brilliance and popularity of Heated Rivalry has brought a lot of discussion around male professional sports players and Josh's post really adds to the conversation as a reminder that the world has a long way to go for those environments to change.

[twopoppies]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjrznw9e243o

Yes to famous people exposing homophobes 🙌🏻

Good for him. They treated him disgracefully (as did many of the fans).

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Cavallo alleged that the Adelaide United officials had afterwards sidelined him due to his sexuality, something a spokesperson for the club said it "categorically rejects".

"All on-field decisions relating to team selection are made solely on footballing grounds," the club's statement read.

In the Instagram post, Cavallo wrote that it had taken him a while to "digest how my time at Adelaide United ended" but said he was speaking out because fans deserve honesty.

"It's hard to swallow when I realised my own club was homophobic. I was angry because people thought I was sidelined based on injuries, when in reality, it was internal homophobia that kept me on the bench."

A change in management meant "politics" kept him off the pitch and limited his career opportunities, Cavallo said, also alleging a photo of him and his partner was mocked by his teammates in a group chat.

"For the first time, I actually questioned if I should have kept my sexuality a secret."

A spokesperson for Adelaide United - which is due to take part in its fourth Pride Cup match on Saturday - said it was "extremely disappointed by the claims made".

"Adelaide United has always been committed to fostering an inclusive environment for players, staff and supporters, and we remain proud of our ongoing work to promote inclusion across football."

Cavallo has previously spoken about receiving death threats on a near daily basis after his decision to publicly come out, but has said that his only regret is not coming out sooner.

While former professional footballers or those in lower tiers have come out as gay before, Cavallo was the first to do so while actively playing in a premier league.

His 2021 revelation inspired Jake Daniels, who in 2022, at the age of 17, became the first British professional male footballer to come out in more than 30 years.

x

[pissyleon]

joshua.cavallo It's taken me a while to digest how my time at Adelaide United ended, but I think the fans deserve honesty.

Leaving the club had nothing to do with football. Decisions were made by people in power that blocked my opportunities, not because of my talent, but because of who I choose to love. Under the new management, it became clear that I wasn't allowed on the pitch because of politics. It's hard to swallow when I realised my own club was homophobic. I was angry because people thought I was sidelined based on injuries, when in reality, it was internal homophobia that kept me on the bench. I stayed professional, kept my head down, and worked hard every day which I'm proud of. Yet no matter how much I produced or improved, my contributions were continuously ignored. It brought a lot of negativity and affected my wellbeing as a professional footballer.

This was exactly the fear I had about coming out, seeing prejudice affect my career in modern day. For the first time, I actually questioned if I should have kept my sexuality a secret. This brought up fears I had about coming out publicly, that being myself would affect my career. I felt incredibly isolated and wondered if l'd made the mistake of sharing my story. I felt things going backwards, not just on the pitch, but in the one place I thought was a safe space and after seeing a group chat of teammates mocking a picture of me and my partner only added to this heartache.

This fresh start in the UK has helped me breathe again and I hope I can fall back in love with the sport that means everything to me. Despite the way it ended behind the scenes, I refuse to let it ruin my connection to this city. Adelaide is where I found my wings. To the fans and supporters: thank you for your passion and backing. You deserve honesty and success. You were incredible to play in front of. Thank you. ❤️

Josh Cavallo came out in October 2021, becoming the first active top league professional male footballer to come out as gay.

[imvges-football]

>>>

[kanmom51]

Josh Cavallo.

This brave young man has shared his truth with the world.

Josh is a professional soccer player and is believed to be the only current, openly gay male professional footballer in the world after he revealed his sexuality in an emotional video.

Josh’s message brought tears to my eyes.

His video is heartbreaking, but also heartwarming and hopeful, talking about having to hide your true self, the struggles, the fears, but also being optimistic, and and ending with:

“I’m Josh Cavallo, I’m a footballer and I am proud to be gay”.

How shocking and sad is it that this young man is the only known openly gay professional footballer in the world?  How sad is it that others have to live in fear while hiding their true selves from others, their team mates, their fans.  And how brave of this young man to take this terrifying step he took.

Josh shared more of his struggles and decision to ‘come out’ on his Twitter account:

So, I would like to share my love and support to you Josh.  

Be proud, be happy, you are loved and supported.

[qnewsau]

Josh Cavallo got engaged to his partner Leighton

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/josh-cavallo-got-engaged-to-his-partner-leighton/

Josh Cavallo got engaged to his partner Leighton

Adelaide United footballer Josh Cavallo has surprised his partner Leighton Morrell with a marriage proposal on the soccer field.

Josh posted photos to Instagram of the beautiful moment on the empty pitch at Coopers Stadium in Josh’s hometown of Adelaide.

The out soccer player wrote that he was “starting this year with my fiancee” and declared “Mr & Mr Coming soon”.

Josh also thanked his club Adelaide United for helping him “set up this surprise”.

He said his club’s “endless support has meant so much to me” since he came out as gay in 2021, in what was a huge moment for his sport.

“You have provided a safe space in football, one that I never in my dreams thought could ever be possible, and encouraged me to live everyday of my life authentically,” he said.

“It felt right to share this special moment on the pitch, where it all started.”

Congratulations, boys!

  View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by J O S H C A V A L L O (@joshua.cavallo)

We don’t know exactly how long the couple have been together. Josh made his relationship Insta-official in November, posting cuddly birthday pics with Leighton after he turned 24.

Leighton is a tradie and is a member of the Western Australian gay rugby club the Perth Rams.

  View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by J O S H C A V A L L O (@joshua.cavallo)

Josh Cavallo came out as gay in 2021

In 2021, Josh Cavallo came out as gay, and at the time was the only out pro top-flight footballer.

He wrote on social media that he was “ready to speak about something personal that I’m finally comfortable to talk about.”

“I’m a footballer and I’m gay,” he said in a video message at the time.

Josh later said the flood of messages of support he received continued for months after his big announcement.

The midfielder is signed to Adelaide United until 2025.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[100gayicons]

Congratulations to Jake Daniels who public ally came out as gay in May 2022. Daniels become the UK's only male professional footballer to be publicly out at the time. and the first since Justin Fashanu in 1990. He thanked Olympic diver Tom Daley for helping to make the decision. He also thanked Australian footballer Josh Cavallo who came out as gay earlier in the year.

Daniels had played football (aka soccer) with Blackpool FC’s under 18s since the age of 7. He officially joined Blackpool's youth team for 2020–21, scoring 30 goals for the U18s. He signed his first professional contract with the club in February 2022.