In a video published by his own club, Adelaide United, Cavallo begins by saying that he is a football player and that he is gay.
We have a long way to go.
– I have been fighting against my sexuality for over six years now, and I am glad that I can put it aside, Cavallo said clearly moved.
Lived a double life
When he grew up, he thought he could not achieve the dream of becoming a professional football player, at the same time as he was queer. That is why he hid his disposition for many years.
APPEARS: Josh Cavallo.
Foto: Brendon Thorne / AP
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– I was ashamed, and thought that people would treat me differently if they found out, or that they would say bad things and make fun of me, he says.
As of now, there are only a few male football players who have stood out as queer. Collin Martin, who plays in the second division in MLS and Phuti Lekoloane, in the third division in South Africa, are two who have emerged as gay, and who still play actively.
Now Cavallo can no longer bear it.
– I am tired of trying to perform at the top level and live this double life. It is exhausting and something I do not want anyone else to experience, he says.
Know more
After sharing the news with the outside world, he says he has gained more respect.
– Getting out to my family, friends, teammates and coaches has been fantastic. It has made me wonder why I have hidden this burden for so long, he says.
– Those who know me personally know that I am a private person. When I was growing up, I felt the need to have fun because I was ashamed. I am ashamed that I could never do what I love and be gay. I thought it could never become a reality, that I could both achieve the dream of playing football and be treated like others, he continues.
In addition to speaking out in a video through the club’s channels, he has also published a press release on his own social media. There he tells that he knows that there are several football players who live in hiding.
– It is surprising that there are no other gay football players who are actively playing right now, not only in Australia, but around the world, he says and continues:
– I want to show those out there who are struggling and who are afraid, that you do not need to be anyone else. It’s OK to be gay and play football, he says.
Will create change
The player wants to do something about it. That is also one of the reasons why he now wants to stand up for his position.
– Growing up as a gay man at the same time as I play football, are two different worlds that have not crossed paths before. I want to help change this, and show that everyone is welcome in football. Everyone deserves the right to be themselves. I hope this will change in the near future, he says.
Assistant coach at Adelaide United, Ross Aloisi, admires his player.
– When I spoke to Josh earlier, it was clear that he was living with a burden and a pain. When I look at Josh today, he is many kilos lighter. It makes me proud to see how brave he is, says Aloisi and continues:
– Josh says mental health and well-being is the most important thing for us, as coaches and teammates. Josh will always be Josh for us, he concludes.
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