Josh Cavallo has opened up about the horrific reality of being Australia’s only openly gay footballer

While Josh Cavallo has received widespread support for his bravery in revealing his sexuality, he also had to endure the dark side of homophobic threats.

Australia’s only openly gay male footballer Josh Cavallo has opened up about the daily death threats he still receives four years after publicly declaring his sexuality while playing in the domestic A-League.

Cavallo, a midfielder for Adelaide United, created worldwide headlines when he revealed his sexuality via a video post on social media for the first time in 2021.

While there was much praise and recognition for his courage at the time, the reality of life thereafter for the 25-year-old has been anything but simple.

Marcus Rashford tweets in support of Josh Cavallo. Picture: X/Twitter

Josh Cavallo announces he is gay. Picture: Instagram

Cavallo, who became engaged to his partner Leighton Morrell in 2024, told FIFPRO’S Footballers Unfiltered podcast that he still receives daily abuse for his sexuality.

“There’s multiple, multiple, multiple death threats that come my way daily still. And it’s quite sad to see,” he told the podcast.

“In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place. It’s something that not everyone would be able to handle and go through.

“I still think we’re a very, very long way of being acceptance in this space.”

Cavallo is not Australia’s only openly gay male athlete, with NBL star Isaac Humphries also detailing his sexuality in a moment which was also highly support in the basketball industry.

But despite their bravery there remains a stigma and reluctance for any other players to follow their lead and Cavallo said he can understand why more players have not followed his path.

Isaac Humphries has also experienced the stigma of his sexuality. Picture: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images

“(There) are factors that people will consider in their coming out and they might not be out now, but coming out brings all this attention, it brings all this pressure, brings all this negativity that will affect their game in the long run,” he said.

“It’s difficult to say to people, ‘Absolutely, come out, be yourself’.

“But it also comes with a mountain of downsides as well that I don’t think people realise.”

The A-League will this week celebrate Pride Round, which prompted Cavallo to reflect upon his own journey and ultimately why he decided to go public with his sexuality.

“I was tired of being hidden and tired of having to go around and hide from people and not live my authentic self,” he said.

“And then I would be like why hasn’t this happened in football? Why hasn’t no one ever came out to be themselves and be successful and play.

“And I understand that now looking back, all the negativity, all the things that come your way.”

Originally published as Josh Cavallo has opened up about the horrific reality of being Australia’s only openly gay footballer