Out, proud: Josh Cavallo a striking example for the world

For his efforts to boost the profile of diversity in professional men’s sport, soccer player Josh Cavallo has been nominated for The Australian’s Australian of the Year.

Adelaide United player Josh Cavallo. Picture: Matt Turner

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

The 22-year-old, originally from Melbourne, made history with this statement in October when he became the first male soccer player in Australia’s A-League and first professional footballer worldwide to make his homosexuality public while playing.

For his efforts to boost the profile of diversity in professional men’s sport, Cavallo, who went from being relatively unknown to a global hero, has been nominated for The Australian’s Australian of the Year.

His announcement prompted local and worldwide praise from celebrities – including singers Ricky Martin and Sam Smith, rapper Lil Nas X and Ellen DeGeneres – athletes, sporting teams and organisations from multiple codes and even politicians.

In a video shared on his team Adelaide United social media channels, Cavallo said growing up he felt ashamed and fearful he could not be himself and play professional football.

Josh's Truth pic.twitter.com/NKSEP2kVWV

— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) October 27, 2021

 “All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he said.

“I’m tired of 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.

“Coming out to my loved ones, my peers, my friends, my teammates, my coaches has been incredible. The response and support I have received is immense.”

In the video, he said he wanted to inspire people to be themselves and play football.

“I want to show all the other people that are struggling and that are scared … don’t act like someone you’re not. Be yourself,” he said.

The video is believed to have been viewed more than six million times, after AC Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic shared the message to his 7.8 million followers on Twitter and said: “You are a Champion. Fotball (sic) is for everybody. Big respect.”

Barcelona’s Gerard Pique told his more than 20 million followers on Twitter that the “world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”.

News outlets from around the world covered the story.

Despite an overwhelmingly positive reaction to Cavallo’s announcement, he suffered homophobic abuse at a game on Saturday.

“I’m not going to pretend that I didn’t see or hear the homophobic abuse at the game … This shouldn’t be acceptable and we need to do more to hold these people accountable,” he said.

“Hate never will win. I will never apologise for living my truth and most recently who I am outside of football.”

In his campaign to call out the abuse, Cavallo also condemned social media giant Instagram for failing to stop the spread of hate online after he received “hurtful messages”.

Readers are encouraged to submit a nomination for The Australian’s Australian of the Year. Prominent Australians can be nominated by filling out the form, or emailing to [e-mail]. Nominations close on Friday, January 21.