Josh Cavallo: a role model for gay athletes

Footballer Josh Cavallo’s decision to come out as gay was a rare moment in men’s sport. Read all about it in today’s cover story.

When footballer Josh Cavallo grew sick of living a double life, hiding his true self from the world, it wasn’t just a simple matter of declaring “I’m gay” to family and workmates and moving on. His decision to come out was a rare moment in men’s sport – in fact he’s believed to be the only openly gay top-level soccer player in the world today.

His club, Adelaide United, and key figures in the sport internationally realised it needed to be carefully managed, for Josh’s sake and for those watching on, in sport and out of it, who were struggling with their own identity. Nearly five years after Australia overwhelmingly voted in support of same-sex marriage, some will wonder why Josh’s decision was such a big deal. Read Roy Eccleston’s story and you’ll see that this was no simple matter for the young footballer.