Australian Footballer Josh Cavallo Comes Out, Becomes World’s Only Active Gay Male Soccer Player

Australian professional footballer Josh Cavallo publicly came out as gay on social media this week, making him the only active, male, openly gay top-flight pro footballer in the world.

The 21-year-old midfielder for Adelaide United opened up about the decision to publicly announce his sexuality in an open letter posted on Twitter.

“I am proud to publicly announce that I am gay,” Cavallo wrote. “It’s been a journey to get to this point in my life, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision to come out. I have been fighting my sexuality for over 6 years now, and I’m glad I can put that to rest.”

In his written statement, Cavallo expressed that he felt the need to hide his sexuality out of shame and a fear that he would not be able “to play football and be treated equally.”

“Growing up being gay and playing football were just two worlds that hadn’t crossed paths before,” he wrote. “I’ve lived my life assuming that this was a topic never to be spoken about.”

In an impactful video posted from Adelaide United’s official Twitter account titled “Josh’s Truth,” Cavallo got emotional speaking about his sexuality.

“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he said. “I’m tired. Trying to perform at the best of your ability and to live this double life, it’s exhausting. It’s something that I don’t want anyone to experience.”

Cavallo shared that he has only received love and support from his family, friends, teammates, and coaches, a sentiment that Adelaide United has publicly echoed. “Adelaide United, not only as a football club, but as the embodiment of an inclusive community, supports a remarkable and brave person. We stand alongside Josh for proudly being true to himself and will continue to love and support him as a member of our beautifully diverse family,” the professional soccer club said in a statement released on social media.

“I know there are other players living in silence,” Cavallo wrote in his open letter. “I want to help change this, to show that everyone is welcome in the game of football, and deserves the right to be their authentic self. 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.”

Cavallo went on to share his hopes that his public coming out would inspire and welcome other LGBTQ pro footballers. 

Back in 2014, the chief executives of Australia’s main professional sports signed a commitment to “tackle” homophobia in football, rugby, and cricket. Still, according to HuffPost, Cavallo is only the fourth Australian male athlete to ever come out while playing at an elite level. In 2019, Australian footballer and former A-Leauge player Andy Brennan made history as Australia’s first male pro footballer to come out as gay.

Today, Cavallo is the only openly gay A-League male pro footballer currently playing, and one of the few professional men’s soccer players in the world to ever publicly come out. Cavallo also now joins the ranks of American pro athletes Carl Nassib and Luke Prokop, who also publicly came out as gay this year.

Cavallo’s announcement comes only a few weeks before the A-League football season begins on November 19.

“It’s OK to be gay and to play football,” he said in the conclusion of his coming out video. “I want to show all the other people that are struggling, and that are scared, whoever it may be — don’t act like someone you’re not. Be yourself. You were meant to be yourself, not someone else. Through my coming out, I’m excited to open up, to show everyone the true Josh Cavallo.”

The soccer player ended the video with this strong declaration: “I’m Josh Cavallo, I’m a footballer, and I’m proud to be gay.”

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