About this conversation
Professional footballer Joshua Cavallo opens up about coming out as the world’s only openly gay active male footballer - and the reality he faced once the headlines faded. From his coach’s immediate response to the fear he’d lose the career he’d worked his whole life for, Josh reveals why so many gay players still feel unable to speak their truth.
Josh reflects on the years he spent living a double life, the isolation that defined his teens, and the moment he finally chose honesty over fear. He also shares the global ripple effect of his coming-out video, the abuse he’s endured in stadiums and online, and how falling in love with fiancé Leighton changed everything.
Josh reveals:
◽ Why he believes LGBTQ+ rights are moving backwards
Episode summary and show notes supplied by the official We Need To Talk feed.
In this conversation
Chapters from the official episode notes. Timings may vary when adverts are inserted.
More from the official show notes
◽ The family expectations he grew up with and why he felt he could never truly be himself
◽ The double life he lived as a teenager and the mental toll of hiding who he was
◽ The coming out letter he wrote to his family
◽ The conversation with his coaches that changed everything
◽ Why so many gay footballers still stay silent
◽ The homophobia he still faces every day
◽ How he secretly mentors closeted professional players
◽ How he proposed to his partner Leighton
Josh Cavallo. We Need To Talk
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